You are parents. Whether you are a first-time parent or a parent with older children, sometimes you know from the very beginning, sometimes within the first few months, or maybe not for a few years. You have a feeling. You talk and express concerns to your friends and relatives. You read books and articles and make an appointment with your pediatrician. So begins the journey for parents of children with special needs. Early childhood special education is a critical first step to helping your special needs child.
The Process to Early Childhood Special Education Intervention Begins
Early intervention is the delivery of educational and or therapy services to children with special needs, that is, those who have been identified with a disability from birth to age 5 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Early childhood special education is important to any child, but for children identified with a disability, the earlier your child is identified with specific needs, the greater the success will be in the suggested interventions. These interventions will help support your child’s identified needs. Families, too, gain support through the intervention process by the interventionists now involved with your child.
Where do I begin? To whom should I talk? Where should I go?
Diagnosis, Intervention Starts with Your Pediatrician: The Disability Evaluation
Your pediatrician has the training and knowledge of the wide variety of resources within your community that can help initiate the intervention process.
Based on his or her initial disability evaluation, your pediatrician can then put you in touch with the resources you need, making a referral, for example, to a local children’s hospital, specific federally funded agencies, or your local school system so that the process of a thorough evaluation and assessment of your child can begin, along with early childhood special education.
Assessments Help Determine Best Early Childhood Special Education Path
The purpose of assessments is to screen, determine eligibility of services, and plan a program specific and unique for your child. In most instances there is usually a team approach to the evaluation process. This team may consist of a speech-language pathologist, physical and occupational therapists, and case manager or service coordinator.
Often times, formal assessments in a sterile environment do not portray your child adequately, so make sure you are part of the evaluation process.
Parents’ Role in Disability Evaluation, Assessment of Options
Parents are the most knowledgeable about their children with special needs, so it’s critical to include them in the assessment and planning process. You know that your child is most comfortable with you; and most importantly, you will be directly involved with the entire process and outcome. It is most important that the entire family be involved as active participants in the team’s disability evaluation and assessment to ensure that your child’s short-term and long-term goals are established.
A comprehensive evaluation should include a complete birth history, family background information, and the strengths and concerns of your child. Sleeping, feeding, language skills, mobility, fine and gross motor skills, adaptations to change in the environment are just a few of the areas that should be addressed before beginning early childhood special education.
Establishing Short- and Long-Term Goals for Early Childhood Special Education
Some formal evaluations coupled with a parent’s report may offer a performance age range which then will help establish short-term and long-term goals for your child. In addition, an informal observation based on free play with you in your child’s natural environment and also attended by the evaluation team may yield some additional information helpful in planning a program.
At the conclusion of this comprehensive evaluation, professionals from all the various disciplines—along with you—will determine the intervention strategies needed. Various opportunities within your community should then be explored to meet your child’s specific needs.
About the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Per the sponsoring agency, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early childhood special education intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
The Act was amended in 1997 and 2004, with the last amendment clarifying the intent of the law, that is, that each child with a disability must be provided a free appropriate public education that successfully prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is administered by the Office of Special Education Programs.
Resources for Early Childhood Special Education
-Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
-History and overview of the IDEA
-Office of Special Education Programs
-Provides “leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts” improve early childhood special education results for children with special needs, including infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities, from birth through age 21.
