Early childhood special education provides special instruction to assist children who experience developmental delays or disabilities to reach their full potential. Part B of the Federal Law: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that any child who is age three to five years and has a developmental delay or disability is eligible to receive free and appropriate education. Services may be center-based, community-based, or provided in the home.

If you think your child has a developmental delay or disability, you may contact your local school district to have your child evaluated. For programs in Kansas City, Missouri, call 816.418.7754. For Wyandotte County, call the Special Education Cooperative at 913.551.3700.

What is Involved in an Evaluation?

An evaluation will involve testing your child in seven areas: learning ability, communication, getting along with others, seeing, hearing, moving, and how well your child does things on his or her own. Your permission will be required in order to have your child tested.

This testing will be done within 45 days of the time you request the evaluation. The testing will be done by an evaluation team which will include a speech and language pathologist, a school psychologist, an occupational therapist, audiologist, and a vision screener.

What Happens if My Child Qualifies for Services?

If your child has a 25% delay in one of the areas tested above, he will qualify for early childhood special education services. Your child will be assigned a case manager or a special instructor who will assist in getting all the necessary related services to meet the needs of your child. The evaluation team, case manager and you, as the parent, will develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

What is an Individual Education Plan (IEP)?

An IEP is a plan devised for your child that specifically states the objectives your child will work to achieve throughout the year. The IEP is based on the results of the evaluation. The plan is reviewed twice each school year. You may request additional updates and reviews. Once the IEP is completed, you will be asked to give your written permission to begin services. Your child's IEP will include:

• A statement about your child's present level of development.
• Annual goals and short term objectives.
• Criteria and/or steps for meeting the goals and objectives.
• A plan for evaluating your child's progress.
• A list of special education and related services that will be beneficial to your child.
• A statement about when services will start and end; who will do them; and how, where, and how often they will be done.
• A transition plan to help you and your child if you will be changing programs or services.

Related Services in Special Education

Assisted technology: services for the child to help use specialized equipment and devices needed for learning
Audiology: hearing testing and helps to make the best use of a child's hearing
Counseling services: provides personal, academic, and career guidance to students (services will vary according to age and individual needs)
Early identification and assessment of disabling conditions: assists families in obtaining a diagnosis of a particular disability
Medical services for diagnostic and evaluation purposes: assists families in obtaining such services
Occupational therapy: services to devlop the daily self-help skills of a child
Parent counseling and training: provides information on special education and parenting education
Physical therapy: services to help the way a child moves
Psychological services: testing and help with the child's behavior and learning
Recreation services: may include physical education and recreational therapy
Speech-language pathology: services to help the child's communication
School health services: nursing services to prevent health problems and promote wellness
School social work: provides guidance to children and parents on family and school issues
Transportation: school bus transportation to school-based special education programs, or other assistance with the cost of travel to programs

The information was developed by The Family Conservancy from a variety of professional resources. This is not a standradized measurement tool.