Introduction

How Infants and Young Children Learn

How to Support Your Child's Language Development

Getting Your Child Ready to Read

How to Keep Your Child Healthy and Safe

What You Need to Know if Your Child Has Special Needs

Federally Funded Research on Spanish-English Biliteracy

What You Need to Know if Your Child Has Special Needs

Frequently Asked Questions - Part I

1. How do I know if my child may have special needs?
   
   As the child's parent, you are the one who will probably know first if your child is not developing like most other children his or her age. If you have other children, try to remember what they were doing at about the same age. When did they start to talk? When did they start to crawl, walk or run? When did they start to read or ride a bike? If you don't have other children, talk to some of your friends or relatives who do and ask them about their child's development.
   
   There also are many checklists or charts, sometimes called "Growth and Development" charts or "Developmental Milestones" charts that you can use to see how your child is developing and growing. Many were created specifically for parents to use. They list many activities and skills that you would typically see a child of a particular age doing. Check to see if your child is doing similar things at or about the same age as listed on the charts. Ask your doctor for a chart or check with your local librarian.
   
   Remember that these charts list what the average child would do. All children develop at different rates. Your child might have some of these skills at an earlier age than some children or at a later age than other children. However, if your child consistently does things at a later age than listed on the charts, you probably will want to ask your doctor or nurse to check your child's development or refer you to someone else who can check your child.
   
   

2. When should I seek professional help for my child if I think she or he has disabilities?
   
   As soon as you have concerns about how your baby or child is developing (hearing, seeing, talking, walking), you should say something to one of the professionals who regularly sees your child (such as the doctor or nurse at the clinic or your child's teacher). Ask them who to call or where to go to have your child assessed. You will need to give your written permission before your child can be tested.
   
   

3. What are some of the most common types of special needs in young children with disabilities?
   
   Young children, particularly babies, may have many health-related needs. You may need help coordinating services to meet these needs. If your baby or child is eligible, the early-intervention program will assign your family a service coordinator who can help you with services, answer questions about your child, and provide support for you and your family.
   
   Some babies may need special services to help with their physical development. They may need physical therapy (PT) to move their muscles so that they continue to develop and grow. If your baby has many physical difficulties, an occupational therapist (OT) might help think of ways that the child could still play with toys or feed herself or himself. These services may be available through the early- intervention program in your state.
   
   You, other family members, or a babysitter may also need to learn how to properly help dress, feed or play with your baby. There are people who can help teach you-just ask. There are also people who can help your family better understand your child's disability, including what to expect in the future as your child grows. If your child will still need services after reaching 3 years of age, staff from the local public school will help you locate them, with your permission. If your child is determined eligible for services, you will need to give your permission again before your child gets the services.
   
   As your baby gets older, his or her needs generally change. Children need time to learn to interact with other children their age-how to communicate, play and share. Some may need services to meet their physical, learning, or communication needs. (See the answer to Question 10.)
   
   

4. Where can I find services for my child with a disability?
   
   It is important to remember that your citizenship status (or that of your child) does NOT affect getting your child the special services needed. Regardless of which state you live in, special services are available. However, where you find services will depend on how old your child is and in what state you live.
   
   If your child is under 3 years of age, and depending on your child's special needs, she or he may be eligible for early-intervention services. Identify the state agency in charge of early intervention and tell them that you think your baby has a disability or is developmentally delayed. They can tell you whom to contact to determine if your baby is eligible for services.
   
   Services for children under 3 years of age are geared toward the entire family's helping your baby to develop. If your baby is eligible for early-intervention services, you will be assigned a service coordinator, a person who will help you through the process of collecting information about your baby's development, testing, and getting services. You must give the coordinator written permission to test your baby. If your child is determined eligible for services, you will need to give your permission again before your child gets any services.
   
   Services for children age 3 through 21 are generally geared toward your child's development. The school officials must have your written permission before they can test your child. If the child is determined eligible for services, the school must again get your written permission before they provide any services.
   
   In all states, if your child is 3 years or older, go to your nearest public school and tell them that you think your child has a disability. Ask them to test the child to determine whether she or he is eligible for special education services. If your concerns are about your preschool child who is age 3 through 5 years, first call and discuss your concerns with the director of Special Education in your local school district. If you still have concerns, you may wish to contact the Preschool Coordinator for your state.
   
   For concerns about your child who is age 6 through 21, first contact your local public school to find out to whom to talk. If you still have concerns, you may wish to contact the director of Special Education for your state. See the attached list of state directors of Special Education or see http://www.nasdse.org/state_directors_of_special_educa.htm.
   
   

5. What Federal laws protect my child if she or he has a disability?
   
   There are a number of Federal laws that protect your child with a disability. The first is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA guarantees services to meet the needs of infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years) with disabilities and their families, and children and youth (age 3 through 21 years) with disabilities. Each state has specific requirements to determine if an infant or toddler is eligible for early-intervention services under IDEA. Eligible children age 3 through 21 years receive special education and related services.
   
   Under IDEA, parents have certain rights, called Procedural Safeguards, related to your child's services. A copy will be provided to you through the early-intervention program or the public school district.
   
   For many of the IDEA activities concerning your child, you must give your written permission. For example, you must give your written permission before anyone can: (1) evaluate your child to determine eligibility for services to meet his or her special needs, (2) provide services to meet those special needs and (3) provide a copy of your child's records to others. If you disagree with any of these, there are a number of procedures you can use: (1) ask for mediation, (2) file for a due-process hearing and (3) file a state complaint.
   
   A second law, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, protects individuals from discrimination in programs or activities that receive Federal funds. For more information about Section 504, see http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/disabilityresources.html.
   
   A third law that protects your child with a disability, potentially throughout his or her lifetime, is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA guarantees equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in employment, access to public facilities, transportation, government services and telecommunications. For example, people with disabilities generally must have access to public facilities such as childcare centers, schools, libraries, etc. For more information on the ADA, see http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.
   
   

6. Whom can I contact at the U.S. Department of Education if I have concerns about the services that my child receives?
   
   First, we suggest that you contact the appropriate people in your community to get services for your child with a disability or discuss concerns about the services your child is currently receiving. Again, the appropriate person to contact in your state depends on the age of your child with a disability:
   
   

   CHILD'S AGE	WHOM TO CONTACT
   Birth to 3	Early Intervention Program
   3 through 5 years	Local school district
   6 through 21 years	Local school district

   
   If you are still having concerns about getting the right services for your child with a disability, you may wish to call the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education. OSEP is the office that is responsible for administering IDEA. See the attached OSEP State Contact list, locate your state on http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/Monitoring/state_contact_list.html, or call (202) 205-5507 (push #1); then ask for the contact person who works with your state.
   
   If the individual answering the telephone does not speak Spanish, he or she can find someone who can help you.