What is Child Find?

Child Find is an effort to locate and identify children ages 3 and 4 who may have exceptional educational needs and are not currently receiving special education services.  Child Development Day is a screening opportunity designed to detect areas of need which may interfere with a child’s educational progress.  Special problems or concerns which might indicate that a child may have an exceptional educational need are as follows:

• Children with hearing, vision or speech problems.
• Children who do things slower than others or at a later date.
• Children with behavioral or emotional problems.
• Children with serious physical, crippling, or orthopedic problems.
• Children with other problems which prevent attending school or prevent effective learning while in school.

If you are new to the school district and/or have concerns about your child’s development, please call (920) 982-8447.

The first step: Screening

Not all children do the same things at the same ages.  If your child is not developing at the same rate as others or is not doing several of the activities on the checklist, don’t wait.  Call your family doctor, medical clinic or the Director of Pupil Services at (715) 327-4221.

What services are available for young children and their families?

If your child is eligible, many early intervention resources can be found in your local community.  When possible, these services are in the home or in community settings such as day care, early childhood family education or preschools, where parents can participate.  Services can include:  respite care, public health nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, early childhood special education services, special equipment, family support activities and training for parents.

Helpful Hints

• Get help and advice right away if you have a concern about your child’s development and learning.  It may prevent some developmental delays.
• Start by talking to your child’s caregiver, doctor, or teacher.
• Make notes and lists of questions for meetings.
• Keep good records of shots, tests, letters from doctors and teachers, and notes from meetings, and put them in a file.
• Ask for changes if something is not working.
• Imagine goals and dreams for your child and talk about them with others who know your child.
• Your child has special abilities and talents.  Use your child’s abilities to create a plan to make the dreams come true.
• You know your child best; set goals your child can reach.
• Keep notes of your child’s progress.
• Get the support you need by joining a support group, or by talking to other parents, friends, or family members you can trust.
• Gather as much information as you can about programs your community offers children your child’s age.  Try to learn as much as you can about supports and services that can help you and your child.