Johnson County School System

Child Find

What is Child Find?Child Find is the schools systems attempt to locate any children (3-21) who are suspected of having a disability.

Special Education and/or related services may be recommended if a disability interferes with a child's learning.

Speech/Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy are some of the related services that may be offered.

Goal:

The primary goal of Child Find is to connect children with developmental delays to the services that they may need to be successful.

When should a child be referred to Child Find?

If there are birth complications or a medical condition that interferes with development and/or learning

If the child appears to have social or emotional difficulties that interfere with his/her ability to learn

If a child appears to learn more slowly than children his/her own age If a child has speech that cannot be understood by others If a child has difficulty seeing or hearing

Who may refer children?

Parents/legal guardians Other family members School personnel Physicians Child Care Providers Community Agencies Infants and Toddler Programs

What is Special Education?

Special Education is “specialized instruction” provided for students (3-21) who are determined to have specific disabilities as defined by Public Law 94-142 and amended by the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It may be provided by one or several special teacher(s). Also, related specialists will sometimes assist delivering services for a child.

It is a service, not a destination.

Helpful to know:Typical Development: Three Year Olds At age 3: Knows and uses over 50 words Uses 2-4 word phrases

Typical Development of 3 year old:

Points to pictures in a book Holds a pencil and makes marks with it

Typical Development of a 3 year old:

Three year olds can feed themselves with a spoon and fork.

Typical Development of a 3 year old:

They can recognize basic emotions.

Happy Sad Angry Afraid

Typical Development 3 year old:

They can climb up a ladder on a slide

Run with ease

Typical Development of 4 year old:

Can use 4 to 5 words in a sentence Responds to “What?”, “Where?”, “Who?”, and “Why?” questions

Typical Development of 4 year old:

Plays with friends in small groups Shares Takes Turns Imitates adults when playing

Typical Development of 4 year old:

Rides a tricycle Toilet Trained

Typical Development of 4 year old:

Counts Knows some letters Learning Colors Can be understood by caregivers

Typical Development of 5 year old:

Uses longer sentences Engages in conversation Follows directions

Typical Development of 5 year old:

Can tell a story with a beginning, middle and end Copies simple shapes Begins writing their name

Typical Development of 5 year old:

Plays cooperatively with friends Throws and catches a ball Speech is understood

Are you concerned about your child’s development? Do you see any of the following in your child’s development?

Concerns with Social Skills:

Preoccupied In “own world” Little/no impulse control Withdrawn from others Consistently aggressive

Concerns with Communication Skills:

Has trouble understanding others Points/gestures instead of talking Avoids using words

Concerns with Communication Skills:

Echoes other people Difficulty speaking in sentences Other people are having trouble understanding your child

Concerns with Self-help and Motor Skills:

Not walking Does not feed themselves Not toilet training

Who can I contact for further information?If you have concerns about your child and would like to see what support may be available, please contact:

Johnson County School Special Education Director

Debbie Morris

150 Lee St.

Wrightsville, Ga. 31096

478-864-3302 Ext. 1008