If your child will be transitioning from Early Child Intervention (ECI) services soon, you are probably already discussing options with your child’s service coordinator. One of those options is Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). This month’s video highlights the benefits of ECSE and why it may be a good option after ECI.
What is Early Childhood Special Education?
“ECSE builds on the progress children make in ECI services,” explains Girasol Margain, Special Education Consultant and narrator of this month’s video. She continues, “ECSE is a state and federally-mandated program for children ages 3 to 5 with a developmental delay or disability.” ECSE encompasses a range of developmental therapies like speech, occupational, and physical. It also includes counseling, classroom services, and more. Children can receive ECSE services in multiple settings, including:
- Pre-K program at your local public or charter school in a classroom with children with no disabilities
- Head Start community program, if the family qualifies
- Private preschool or at home
- Classroom in the local school district just for preschool children who have disabilities
“Parents have a lot of questions about life after ECI and selecting the right option,” says Girasol. “Some parents are concerned because their child may be non-verbal or are not toilet-trained yet,” she explains. “Others worry about the child being overwhelmed in a classroom setting or not having enough supervision,” she continued. These and other reasons are why Brighton’s transition consultants start discussing transition options with ECI families when children are 27 months old.
Benefits of Early Childhood Special Education
An important thing that Girasol and her Special Education Support Services (SESS) colleagues stress to parents is that just because a child receives special education services at this early age, it doesn’t mean they’ll continue doing so all the way through high school. Instead, for many of these children, ECSE provides the building blocks for a successful transition into the academic world. Some of the benefits of ECSE include:
- Improved social skills, such as listening, sharing, and expressing emotions
- Exposure to foundational skills needed for reading and math, like recognizing letters, numbers, and patterns
Girasol lists several others in the video. It’s important to note that ECSE is a service, not a location. Girasol says, “ECSE services and their benefits can be the cornerstone of your child’s lifelong academic journey.”
ECSE Provides for Individualized Services
It is important to note that children receiving ECI services are not automatically eligible for ECSE. Instead, children must be evaluated by a licensed specialist. The licensed specialist will determine whether they meet specific criteria for special education and related services. This information is then provided to an Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee. The ARD committee reviews the evaluation report and determines eligibility. The SESS team created a video about the special education evaluation process that will be posted in our Special Education Library soon!
Children eligible for ECSE are then given an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP lists the specific services for which they qualify. It also does more than say the student qualifies for ECSE services. In fact, it lists the specific services and accommodations the child will receive. For example, if the child needs speech therapy, they can receive it at school or in a specialized setting. If the child requires assistance with hygiene or has behavioral management needs, the IEP will describe how these services will be provided.
In the Benefits of ECSE video, Girasol shares two examples of how individualized services were developed for two young ECSE participants. Brighton’s ECI transition consultants are fully equipped to help families find the right options that work for them and ensure their children receive the services and support needed. If you want to learn more about ECSE or have questions about the ECI transition process, fill out this form to schedule a free consultation today.
