Child Find

Finding Children with Special Needs

²ÝÁñÉçÇø is required to locate, identify, and evaluate all children, with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools in the school district, and homeless children.  The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as Child Find.

Upon request, the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø is required to evaluate children ages 3 to 21 for eligibility for special education services.  A request for evaluation is known as a referral.  When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.

²ÝÁñÉçÇø is also responsible for screening and evaluation of preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) living within its boundaries that are not yet enrolled in school.  Evaluation services are provided at no cost by the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø.

If you suspect a child has a disability, please contact the appropriate person(s) listed below:

  • Children ages 3 to 5 not yet enrolled in school:
    Early Childhood Special Education Diagnostics and Speech and Language Diagnostics at 262-359-7683
  • School Aged Children: Child’s teacher, building principal or the Department of Special Education
  • Private or Parochial School:  Building administrator

Early Childhood Screening and Evaluation

Early Childhood screenings and evaluations are provided to children 3-5 years old living in the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø who may be experiencing difficulty in any area of development.

A child’s development can be checked through an Early Childhood Developmental Screening. During a screening, information is collected about the child’s developmental skills in the areas of speech/language, motor, cognition, self-care and social. Information is collected through parent interviews, observations and interactions with each child. The screening helps to identify if a possible developmental delay may exist. If a possible developmental delay is identified, a referral for an evaluation may be made.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team evaluation is conducted to determine if a child has a developmental delay and a need for special education services. During an evaluation, formal testing will be completed in one or more areas of development. If a disability is identified, an Individualized Education Program (IEP)is developed.

These services are provided at no cost by ²ÝÁñÉçÇø.

If a parent or guardian is interested in requesting an Early Childhood screening, he/she should call:

  • Julie Kilmer/Kim Kurklis at 262-359-7683
    or
  • ²ÝÁñÉçÇø at 262-359-5950