• Autism
• Emotional Disturbance
• Deaf
• Multiple Disabilities
• Other Health Impairment
• Speech/Language Impairment
• Visual Impairment
• Deaf-Blindness

How does a child become eligible?

The ECSE diagnostic clinic accepts referrals from parents-, physicians, nurses, social services and health related agencies on children who are suspected of having any of these disabilities, regardless of severity.

In order to determine the special needs of any child, an individualized evaluation of skills is necessary. Parental permission is necessary to proceed with any evaluation. Assessments in the areas of speech and language, cognitive abilities, fine and gross motor skills, and hearing and vision may be completed by speech and language pathologists, special education teachers, occupational-and physical therapists, and hearing and vision technician. A medical history is gathered.

Following completion of assessments, the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team, of which parents are essential members, meets to review and discuss findings in order to make a determination of eligibility under one of the established disability categories.


What happens next?

Once a child is determined to have a disability, the IEP Team works together to develop the IEP, a written document identifying the special education and related services necessary to support the child's development and educational program. The IEP allows everyone with a role in teaching and nurturing the child to understand what the child will need to grow and prosper, and the particular role they can play as a supportive member of the child's team.

Services identified on an IEP might include special instruction, speech and language therapy, physical and occupational therapy, assistive technology devices and services, psychological services, and other services identified by the IEP Team as necessary for the child to benefit from participating in an educational program.
The following is a list of "rule of thumb" responses to be expected by certain ages. The list is general and should be used only as an indicator of the possibility of potential disabling conditions. If you have a concern, please seek help.

By 2-3, years of age, a child identifies objects by functions; understands prepositions and adjectives (like the words in, on, big, little); uses 2-4 word sentences; builds a vocabulary to around 900 words; uses adjectives, prepositions, and pronouns; and walks up and down stairs using alternating feet.By 3-4, years of age, a child listens to stories, follows two commands, matches and sorts objects, remembers recent events, asks a lot of questions, speech is understandable, tells stories, vocabulary increases to around 1,500 words, counts to 3, and balances on one foot for short periods of time. By 4-5, years of age, a child follows 3-part commands, understands opposites, uses complete sentences, counts to 10, uses how and when questions, names items In a category (fruit, animals, clothing), has few sound errors in speech, throws a ball overhand and catches a large ball that has been bounced.