Introduction to Children with Exceptionalities · LibreTexts
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4.2: Child Find and Early Intervention
Opening the book…
Research has shown that early intervention maximizes the opportunity to help a child who may have special needs in learning or in functioning in life. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) created Child Find as a legal requirement that mandates every state to identify, locate, and evaluate all children who may have disabilities and who might need special education or related services. The purpose of Child Find is to ensure that every child with a disability is identified and provided the services that they need. This act covers all children from birth through 21 years, regardless of where they live, with whom they live, or where they go to school.
Child Find is the legal responsibility of the public schools in each community, regardless of whether or not the child attends public school. State Departments of Education in each state oversee and ensure that the local districts are providing these services as directed. Early intervention agencies often work with the public schools to address the needs of children younger than 3 years of age.
To provide the Child Find services as required by the IDEA law, schools/agencies must:
Publicize Child Find efforts (e.g., through flyers, websites, pediatric offices).
Screen and evaluate children when there is a suspected disability.
Obtain parental consent before evaluation.
Develop and implement an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or IFSP (Individualized Family Services Plan) if the child qualifies for services.
Reflect and Apply
Do some local research on your own… What organization(s) in your community is/are responsible for identifying children with special needs and working with them toward early intervention? Who provides these services for those children aged birth to three years? How do these organizations conduct their Child Find efforts? How successful are they in identifying and reaching children at this young age?
✏️ Write a short reflection (5–7 sentences) or discuss your ideas with a classmate or small group. Be ready to share with the class.
Research has shown that early intervention maximizes the opportunity to help a child who may have special needs in learning or in functioning in life. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) created Child Find as a legal requirement that mandates every state to identify, locate, and evaluate all children who may have disabilities and who might need special education or related services. The purpose of Child Find is to ensure that every child with a disability is identified and provided the services that they need. This act covers all children from birth through 21 years, regardless of where they live, with whom they live, or where they go to school.