Early Childhood Special Education

Heidi Stone
ECSE Supervisor
651-604-3720
| heidi.stone@isd623.org

CLICK HERE for more information about Early Childhood Screening

CLICK HERE for the ECSE Family Handbook

Providing Early Intervention Services to Young Children

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) provides early intervention services to young children, from birth to kindergarten, who show a developmental delay in one or more of these areas:

Speech and language
Large and fine motor skills
Social, emotional, and behavior skills
Cognitive and/or adaptive skills
Vision or hearing loss

To learn more about a child's developmental stages, ages birth to 5, view developmental milestones at Help Me Grow Minnesota.

The process for a child to be considered for ECSE services starts with a referral, which is often made by a child's parents. Next, an evaluation is conducted to determine eligibility and to identify specific needs. If a child does qualify for services, ECSE teachers and specialists work with the child and parents to improve skills in the areas of need.

Concerned about Your Child's Development?

If you have concerns about the development of your infant, toddler, or preschool-age child, you may make a referral for an evaluation. The evaluation, provided through the district, is free. To refer a child ages birth to 5 years old and not yet enrolled in kindergarten, contact Early Childhood Referral and Intake at 651-621-6139 or complete their referral form (link below). Other professionals and individuals, including friends and family members, may also refer a child.

CLICK HERE to Complete a Referral Form

Sometimes referrals are made after an early childhood screening has been done. This screening looks at how well a child is developing. The State of Minnesota requires a health and developmental screening for every child before he/she enters kindergarten in a public and some private schools. The ideal age for screening is 3-4 years old. This age range enables us to address health and development concerns a year or two before a child starts kindergarten. After the screening, some children may be referred to ECSE for further evaluation and possible service.

CLICK HERE for More Information about Early Childhood Screening

Determining the Need for Services

In Minnesota, a child must meet certain criteria to receive special education services. However, a child under the age of 3 could be eligible for ECSE services because he/she has a condition or disorder that is likely to result in a developmental delay, even if that delay is not yet evident.

An evaluation is used to decide if a child has an educational disability and meets the Minnesota criteria. A child could have a disability in one or more of the following areas:

Autism Spectrum Disorders
Blind/Visually Impaired
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Deaf/Blindness
Developmental Cognitive Disability
Developmental Delay
Emotional or Behavioral Disorder
Other Health Disabilities
Physical Impairment
Severely Multiply Impaired
Specific Learning Disability
Speech-Language Impairment
Visual Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury

After the Evaluation

At a conference, the school team and parents discuss the evaluation results. They use the results to determine whether the child is eligible for services in one or more of the educational disability categories. If the child is eligible and shows a need for special education, they explore service options.

When the team decides that special education services are needed, the ECSE staff, with parent input, develops an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Special education services can be provided as long as a child is eligible for services. For some children, services may be one year or less, while other children may need services for longer periods of time.

If a child does not show a delay in development or does not meet the eligibility criteria, the ECSE team will suggest ways parents can continue to support their child's development. These suggestions may include community resources such as Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Pre-K, community recreation activities, and others.

Providing ECSE Services

From Birth to Age 3

Infants and children up to 3 years old receive early intervention services. The child's parents and service providers develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) based on the child's needs. This plan describes the specific services the child and family will receive.

Typically, a primary service provider, with parent/caregiver involvement, delivers the ECSE services and support in the child's home. A licensed ECSE teacher, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and/or physical therapist may provide the services depending on the child's needs.

From Age 3 to Kindergarten

Children ages 3 to the start of kindergarten receive early childhood special education services to meet individual developmental needs. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan, developed by parents and service providers, describes the services the child will receive.

Based on a child's needs, services and support may be provided at one of our early childhood centers at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Harambee Elementary School, or Parkview Center School. A variety of classes, addressing the differing needs of children, are taught by licensed ECSE teachers and/or speech-language pathologists. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, and other specialists also provide support as needed.