? about preschool special ed

[dantesmama]

I have some concerns about my 4.8yo ds, specifically a nagging feeling that he is indeed on the autism spectrum. He will be 5 in early October, and is not attending kindergarten (we are hsing at least for kindy). I want to have him evaluated. Does preschool special ed include 5yos not enrolled in kindergarten, or do I need to go through his ped for a referral to a dev ped? (I'd rather not. His ped tends to brush off any concerns I bring up.) TIA!
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[asch8]

Ok,

My son is 3 and is in special education starting in sept. I asked them if he can stay in the program if he still needs it when he is 5. He has a Aug. birthday so we are holding him back until he is 6 to start kindergarden. They told me that the kids can stay in the program until they turn 6. That said you might still have to take him to a specilist to do a full autism eval. I have done it because I was told by my son's 0-3 therapist thought there was some warning signs of autism. good luck

[Julia Rose]

My understanding is that it varies from state to state. You should call your school district's division of special services and ask. Their answer may dovetail with your state's requirements for the regulation of homeschooling, too -- for instance, some states require that you file curricula, etc. Are you in touch with your state education department's homeschooling office? You might want to ask them as well.

In my state, even if a child is homeschooled, if s/he qualifies for services they are provided. My state also requires lots of homeschooling documentation.

If you go through your school district, the evals will be done for free.

I hope some of this is helpful -- good luck!

[riverview9]

my school district gives therapy and evaltates homeschoolers if requested

[cchrissyy]

It depends where you are - in lots of places, enrolment isn't legally required until age 6 or 1st grade, so anybody 3-6 would fall into preschool sp ed if they weren't enrolled in elementary for whatever reason. You can request evalutation and sevrices in writing directly to the school district special ed department. "writing" is important, and sometimes so is being a pest!

On another note, it might be better to have a doctor do it. Lots of people choose to diagnose only medically, only educationally, or both. It depends what you're tryign to get out of it. If you want school services, obviosuly you need to go through the school. but If you're looking to understand him and help him at home, or if you're looking to use medical insurance for therapies, you might just go through your medical system. Both routes can take a while so you might want to start both ways and see what gets results first. then you can always choose to continue or cancel with the other path. Honestly, school assessors are suposedly experts in figuring out what help kids need in regards to eductaion, but often they are overworked and undertrained. And school staff are emphatically NOT diagnosticians. If you want a diagnosis, push your pediatrician for that referal to a competant diagnosing doctor. A developmental ped or ped nuerosychologist.

[laurata]

In WA state, where I live, the schools are required to provided ancillary services (speech, OT, etc) regardless of school/ homeschool status. I'm not sure I would go so far as to call what was offered my son (diagnosis-wise) an evaluation, so much as a screening or assessment.

My old ped rather blew off my concerns. My new one, after seeing us half a dozen times over the course of a year insisted that I 1) contact ChildFind and become a squeaky wheel and 2) Make an appointment with our local Children's Hospital for an evaluation for "red flags for autism." I am so, so glad she pushed me to do this because it has benefited my son and our whole family.

If you can get your ped to write a referral, and think your insurance will pay for it (some have specific exclusions) or you can afford to pay for the initial appointments, I say do it, now, before your child turns six. Even if your ped blows you off. Just be a broken record. "I would like a referral to see developmental ped XYZ." "I understand your stance. I would like to see dev ped XYZ." "Please understand that I need to advocate for my child. I would like a referral."

[khaoskat]

Not sure which federal law, IDEA or No Child Left Behind, etc..oir it could be Child Find...

But states are mandate to find and test children, even in the pre-school years, regardless of sending them to school or not..services received could be affected by your choice though.

[khaoskat]

Ok, here it is

Link:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/child.find.mandate.htm

Text:
What is Child Find?


The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act includes the Child Find mandate. Child Find requires all school districts TO identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This obligation to identify all children who may need special education services exists even if the school is not providing special education services to the child.

The IDEA requires all States to develop and implement a practical method of determining which children with disabilities are receiving special education and related services and which children are not. (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3); Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, pages 72, 206-207).Who is Covered by Child Find?

Schools are required to locate, identify and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth through age 21. The Child Find mandate applies to all children who reside within a State, including children who attend private schools and public schools, highly mobile children, migrant children, homeless children, and children who are wards of the state. (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3))

This includes all children who are suspected of having a disability, including children who receive passing grades and are "advancing from grade to grade." (34 CFR 300.111(c)) The law does not require children to be "labeled" or classified by their disability. (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3)(B); 34 CFR 300.111(d)).

Note: You will find the Child Find requirements in Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, pages 72, 206-207]

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by khaoskat

Ok, here it is

Link:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/child.find.mandate.htm

Text:
What is Child Find?

I tried to get my ds help/evaluated via child find when he was 5 and it K. They basically said that it didn't apply to him because he was over 4yo and did not have a speech problem or academic problems.