CHILD FIND

  • Child Find is a legal requirement that schools find all children who have disabilities and who may be entitled to special education services.

  • Child Find covers every child from birth through age 21.

  • The school must evaluate any child that it knows or suspects may have a disability.

Child Find requires school districts to have a process for identifying and evaluating children who may need special education and related services, such as counseling or speech therapy. Even infants and toddlers can be evaluated. They could then receive help for learning disabilities and developmental delays through the government’s early intervention programs. These programs help parents find out if their young children are on track. Then, if needed, the programs can connect families with appropriate services early in the child’s life.