Sitting listening to the case worker talk to the young mother, I could not imagine that she was going to remember any of this, or if she did, that it was going to be very helpful.
"There is this program, which is Part C services under IDEA and then he'll transition into Part B ...."
Here is what you need to know:
1. Federal law requires services be provided for children with a developmental delay or at risk of developmental delay. This is required under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Very important point - children from birth through two years old are entitled to services to keep them from falling very far behind other children their age. Remember the article by Evelyn Klimpel when she mentioned that her son could have received services in those early years? Don't let that be you. As she said, "Learn from my mistakes."
2. Federal law requires services for children with a disability from age three years through twenty-one. Part B specifically requires services for children ages three through five. It also requires that transition services be provided.
3. What are transition services? Imagine this situation - your child receives early childhood services for two years. She gets speech therapy, you get parent training. Then,when she turns three years old, the case worker shakes your hand, wishes you good luck and walks off into the sunset. Transition services are to make sure scenes like this don't happen. Before your child turns three, the early intervention program staff will discuss with you the options for your child. They may recommend preschool special education. They may tell you that your child no longer needs special services. Whatever their recommendations, you have a right to have your voice heard. No one knows your child better than you. This planning for your child's services after his third birthday is part of the Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP). We will have a lot to say about the IFSP.
Why a special workshop on young children with disabilities? Because at this stage, even more than at other ages, the family is a central part of helping people with disabilities reach their full potential. So, we begin our workshop with a discussion of parents - good parents, normal parents and parenting myths.
NEXT: Parenting a child with a disability