Do you know of an infant, child or adolescent who is not developing at the same rate as other children his/her age? All children develop at their own pace, but some have more difficulty than others.

What is Child Find (Special Education)?

Child Find refers to the federal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that all children in need of special education services are identified, located and evaluated. Schools are responsible for conducting Child Find and identifying all IDEA-eligible students that reside in their jurisdiction. Child Find is not a passive activity, but rather an active process.

Who is covered under Child Find?

Children with disabilities from birth through age 21 are covered. This includes children who are being homeschooled or who are in private school.

What can you do if you have concerns about your child’s development?

Please contact the special education department at your child’s school. Special education and related services are available to all eligible individuals ages three through 21 years of age.

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) agencies provide services to children ages from birth to their third birthday for learning, speech, behavior, or other delays. Your child’s school and ECI agencies provide services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, have visual impairments, and/or have deaf blindness. To find your local ECI, click here.

How much do services cost?

All services provided by schools through IDEA are at no cost to the individual or parents.

Who do I contact if I need additional information?

For more information, you can contact SPEDTex at 1-855-773-3839. They provide information and resources that can help you understand disabilities, your rights, and the school’s responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Who can begin the Child Find process?

Any person who knows of a child/student between the ages of 0–21 who exhibits developmental delays and/or difficulties in learning may refer the child to the following entities:

Why should we refer?

Early identification can prevent failure and frustration. Special attention to teaching and learning strategies may help individuals overcome barriers to learning. If a disability is not found, other resources may be available to help.

What happens after the referral is made?

The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be contacted by United ISD staff. Appropriate personnel will gather together based on the type and characteristics of the disability which is suspected. This school district group with the help of parents will decide if an evaluation (testing) is needed to determine if there is a disability. If an evaluation is needed, the parent, along with this group of knowledgeable staff, will meet to discuss the outcome of the evaluation, special education eligibility and whether the student is in need of a variety of service options. This meeting is called an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee meeting.

Who qualifies for special education services?

Individuals qualify for services when they have a significant educational need and one or more of the following disabilities, according to federal and state criteria as set out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):

• Specific Learning Disability (LD)
• Emotional Disability (ED)
• Speech Impairment (SI)
• Autism (AU)
• Deaf–Blind (DB)
• Other Health Impairment (OHI)
• Visual Impairment (VI)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Auditory Impairment (AI)
• Intellectual Disability (ID)
• Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
• Non-Categorical Early Childhood
• Multiple Disabilities