 | | | | Transitions - As Your Child Turns Three
Transitions - As Your Child Turns Three
If you are a recipient of this newsletter and your child is under age three, your family is probably receiving Early Intervention services. You and other caregivers are working together with Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) staff to figure out how best to help your child learn. Together, you drew up an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Your family also may be getting assistance from your Service Coordinator. In addition, some of you may be connected with medical specialists, public health nursing, county financial assistance programs or social services. All of this is done in accordance with ‘Part C’ of the federal ‘Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act’ (IDEIA).
As your child approaches her third birthday, there are some changes in the wind. At age three, Early Intervention (Part C) comes to an end and ‘Part B’ of IDEIA may begin. Part B covers children with disabilities ages 3 – 21, has different eligibility criteria from Part B and changes the way that services can be delivered. One change is that your Service Coordinator will be leaving your team. To facilitate this transition, your Service Coordinator will work closely with you in the months prior to your child’s birthday to develop a Transition Plan so that you will have the information you need about resources and supports for your child and family.
When Early Intervention (Part C) ends, health care specialists, private therapies and county services may continue as part of your support system, if needed, but with school services, it is like starting over. You will need to know whether your child, as a three year old, will be eligible for Special Education according to criteria for three-to-five year olds. Part of the Transition Plan will be for ECSE staff to determine if your child is a ‘student with a disability who needs Special Education services.’
Whether or not your child is eligible for Special Education, your team will work with you to determine what programs are available to your child and together you will find the best option for your child.
School staff will be able to describe various options: some typical early childhood programs in your community are Head Start, Way To Grow, neighborhood preschools or child care homes or centers as well as Minneapolis Public Schools programs such as High Five, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Even Start or H.I.P.P.Y.
If your child is not eligible for Special Education services, you will want to know how to be sure your child’s development stays on track. There are two things you should do:
1. Enroll in the Follow Along Program so you can keep track of your child’s development and ask questions of professionals.
2. Schedule an appointment for an Early Childhood Screening sometime close before your child’s 4th birthday, and again close before his 5th birthday so you can ask questions about your child’s development and learn more about kindergarten readiness.
If your child is eligible to receive Special Education services, you and your child’s team will develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will list goals, objectives and services your child will receive. Whatever learning environment you decide is best for your child, Special Education services follow her. It often happens that your ECSE service provider(s) change at this time as well.
Choosing the ‘least restrictive environment’ (LRE) is one very important consideration in selecting the best place for your child to learn. Both federal and state laws require that children be educated alongside typically developing peers to the greatest extent possible. In fact, students cannot be placed in special education classrooms until it has been shown that they are not progressing, even with reasonable support, in regular education settings.
Some good questions to ask during this time of transition are:
- What is the adult-to-student ratio?
- How long is the ‘school day’?
- How many times each week is the program in session?
- How does the teacher approach behavior management?
- What if my child needs help from a specialist (speech clinician, occupational therapist or physical therapist)?
- How long is the bus ride to and from school?
- Does the new program operate during the summer months?
- How can I arrange to visit the proposed program(s)?
- When will my child make the change to a new program?
- Who will be my contact person if I have other questions?
Remember, all the members of your team want the best possible outcomes for your child, so don’t be shy. Your team can provide very helpful information. Ask questions and make sure you know what choices are available for your child.
|
| | |
