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CHILD FIND
Child Find is a program designed to find children from birth to 21 years of age with a potential disability to determine and recognize a need for special education and related services.
Othello School District carries out specific activities to monitor, identify and recognize birth-to-twenty-one children with suspected disabilities that live within the boundaries of the program. It includes private school attendance students.
Approximately 10-15% of all kids have an impairment that impedes their growth of learning. Early disability identification helps parents, students, and schools design suitable educational services.
CHILD FIND PROCESS
Once an appointment for Child Find is made, a notice of appointment will be sent to guardians.
Please contact Heidi Wagner at 509-488-2659 with general questions about early childhood special education.
CHILD FIND SCREENINGS FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO THREE (3) YEARS OLD
- If you have developmental issues for your infant before age 3, you should call Othello School District for data on the area's Birth to Three Learning Centers. Such programs carry out assessments, education and early intervention care to infants up to three years of age. Call 509-488-2659 for inquiries.
SCREENINGS FOR CHILDREN THREE (3) TO FIVE (5) YEARS OLD
- If your child is a preschooler and you have questions about his or her progress, Othello School District provides weekly assessments to provide parents with details about school-related growth of pre-school children. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this free service, especially if you have concerns about the growth of your infant.
- Sight, hearing, and motor tests are given, as well as details regarding your child's speech, reading, and cognitive skills.
- If you would like to schedule a screening appointment for your child, please contact the Department of Special Education at 509-488-2659.
CHILD FIND FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN (5 YEARS OLD AND OLDER)
If your child is in school and you feel that a condition will affect his or her educational performance, please contact your child's neighborhood school administrator at 509-488-2659 or the Director of Special Education.
Age 5 and older: Contact your child's school.
- For some children, their testing may mean that there is no need for a complete developmental test to determine eligibility for special education services.
- For some children, the testing may imply a need to re-screen the child in six months to assess whether or not he/she continues to develop properly. In such cases, public services and home project advice will be provided to parents to explain any positions of minor insecurity.
- Any kids for whom the assessment needs a potential review will then be directed to a standardized, in-depth examination of special education. An assessment for special education may determine whether a child is eligible for special education services. This can be provided in the context of individual programs, such as speech therapy, or by completing Othello Schools District's pre-school development program for special needs children.