Special Education Services for Preschoolers with Special Needs
What is it?
The Special Education Preschool Program is a federally mandated
and funded service. The Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) makes a range of educational opportunities available
to children with moderate to severe disabilities who are three
and four years old. The program is managed by the Saratoga
Springs City School District with financial oversight provided
by the Saratoga County Youth Bureau. The district does not
operate nor supervise any preschool services. Children are
served at any one of several county-approved private agency
sites in the area, or through home-based and community-based
programs. Saratoga County arranges transportation through
private providers.
Who is eligible?
Any child age between the ages of 36 months (3 years) and 60
months (5 years) residing in the school district who is
experiencing significant difficulties or delays in development,
whether physical, mental, or emotional, can be referred for
service. Areas of concern can include difficulties in developing
speech and language skills, thinking skills, motor skills or
social skills. An assessment is conducted by a state approved
evaluation agency to determine if your child qualifies for the
Special Education Preschool Program.
What services are
available?
CORE Assessment: A developmental evaluation of your
child's language skills, fine and gross motor skills, cognitive
ability, social/emotional skills and adaptive skills is
conducted. Parents are interviewed to assess family needs.
Screening and evaluation procedures include a review of relevant
social, economic, cultural, medical and nutritional factors that
affect the child's growth and development. The preschool
assessment will identify your child's strengths and weaknesses.
Committee On Special Education: A multidisciplinary team
consisting of evaluators, parents, teachers, and other
professionals with knowledge of the child who review the
evaluations, determine eligibility for services and programs.
This committee reviews each student referred for special
education services.
Home-Based and Agency Services: An individualized
education plan (IEP) for children and their families is written
at the CPSE meeting. Services are then provided either in the
child's home or at an approved agency. Planned curriculum is
provided as a guide for parents and caregivers in educating the
child. Certified practitioners in specialized areas may provide
home-based services. Specialized services may also be provided
at an agency approved to provide specialized services to a
child. These services include Special Education Itinerant
Services, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech
Therapy.
Community-Based Services: The providers listed above may
travel to home or childcare centers, Head Start centers, or
other community settings to provide services to the child,
consult with the staff, and modify curriculum or materials.
Classroom-Based Services: The child's total program is
provided in a special education preschool class. Classes are
located at approved agencies in the area.
Transition Services: Program staff work to ensure a
smooth transition from the early intervention program sponsored
by the Department of Health to the pre-school system and from
the preschool program into the school-aged classroom.
What does it cost?
All services provided through the Special Education Preschool
Program are offered at no charge. Funding is provided through
federal, state, and local sources through Saratoga County Youth
Bureau.
How do I access
services for my child?
Parents, medical practitioners or community agencies may refer a
child to this program. A referral form signed by the parent is
required to begin the referral process. To obtain a referral, or
for additional information, contact the special education office
of the Saratoga Springs City Schools at 583-4727. Office hours
are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The fax number is
587-2280.
To determine if your child is a candidate for assessment, ask
yourself these questions:
- Is my child's learning delayed, or does he/she seem to learn more slowly than other children?
- Does my child have trouble walking or using his/her arms?
- Does my child have trouble seeing?
- Does my child not talk or talk very little?
- Is my child difficult to understand when he/she speaks?
- Does my child often not respond when you talk to him/her, or do I have to repeat things frequently?
- Does my child get upset easily, cry a lot, have temper tantrums, sleeping problems or other behaviors that concern me?
If the answer is
yes
to any of these questions, the Special Education Preschool
Program may be able help. Call 583-4727.
For a link to a New York State Education Department site
concerning educational programs for preschool students with
disabilities, click
here.
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