After discussion with the Preschool Team Chair, your child will be scheduled for either a screening or evaluation, generally dependent on degree of concern, ongoing level of difficulties your child experiences and prior history. The Preschool Screening Team typically consists of a speech and language pathologist and an occupational therapist and, when necessary, a school psychologist. As the need arises, the Team may also include other professionals e.g. a physical therapist.

In a Preschool Screening, your child will be asked to engage in activities in language, cognitive and motor domains with the examiners; they are also observing factors e.g. attention, behavior and social interaction skills. To the degree possible, tasks are presented in a play format, and the activities will be completed within 30-60 minutes. An observation of your child in his/her preschool setting may also be arranged. The purpose of the screening is for you to have a professional see your child, and to provide you with a brief assessment of your child's skills and recommendations as to what next steps might be appropriate. During the screening, you and the Team will determine if it's best for you to be with your child or in a nearby waiting area . You will have the opportunity to share your concerns about your child initially with the Preschool Team Chair during a phone conversation, by completing and returning the Preschool Developmental Questionnaire prior to the screening, and at the screening with the examiners. Outcomes of the screening process might include: specific suggestions for activities to do at home to target development of skills; consultation with your child's preschool teachers; suggestion that your child return at a later date for rescreening and/or monitor progress; recommendation for further observation/evaluation in one or several areas.

Preschool Evaluations consist of more in-depth evaluation by one or several specialists and are conducted through Special Education guidelines mandated by state and federal regulations. You will be asked to sign an evaluation consent form, complete a Developmental Questionnaire and perhaps other questionnaires. There are specific timelines within which testing and reports must be completed, and a TEAM meeting held to discuss test results. This will be arranged by the Preschool Team Chair working with you. require that At the TEAM meeting we as a TEAM must determine whether or not your child is 'eligible' to receive services through Special Education as defined by state and federal regulations. (Eligibility is based on 3 requirements: that the child has a disability as defined by federal guidelines, is not making effective progress in school as a result of the disability, and that he/she requires specially designed instruction in order to make effective progress in the general curriculum and/or requires a related service to access the general curriculum.) These will all be explained further by the Preschool Team Chair as we move through the process. If we determine that your child is 'eligible', the Team develops an Individualized Educational Program which outlines the services your child will be receiving. If your child does not meet these eligibility requirements, other recommendations may be given including, e.g., ways to further develop your child's skills at home.

To download a copy of the:
Parent Signature Page click here
Preschool Developmental Questionnaire click here
Educational Assessment: Part A and B (for a preschool teacher to complete), click here
Notification of procedural Safeguards ("Parent's Rights Brochure"), click here