Child Find

If you suspect that your child may need special education services (ages birth to five years), please call the Child Find Department at 248.746.7640. For ages six through 25, please contact your child's school administrator. Eligible children are referred to appropriate programs and services.

What is Child Find?

Child Find, an evaluation program available through Southfield Public Schools, identifies resident children - ages birth through five years - who may be in need of special education services. Child Find offers evaluations to children suspected of having a disability, at no charge. Following the evaluation, eligible children are referred to appropriate programs and services.

What is a Child Find evaluation?

A team specializing in the areas of concern works with the parents and child to determine eligibility for Special Education Services.

The Child Find Team and parents work together to determine the appropriate programs and services for eligible children.

The Child Find Team can include the following highly qualified specialists:

  • Teacher Consultant
  • Speech/Language Pathologist
  • School Psychologist
  • School Social Worker
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Physical Therapist

What programs and services are available?

A variety of programs and service options are available in Southfield and through other Oakland County School districts. Some of the possible programs that serve special education preschoolers are:

  • Early Intervention
  • Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
  • Speech/Language Therapy
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Cognitive Impairment (CI)

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is a combination of school and home-based services to children ages birth to three. The goal of this educational program is to support and guide parents, who are considered the young child s primary teachers. The program is led by a highly qualified Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. Support services are provided by an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, and Speech/Language Therapist to assist families in providing appropriate educational activities for their child.

What is the ECSE?

The ECSE is a classroom-based program for children ages three to five. The class is led by a highly qualified Early Childhood Special Education Teacher with support services provided by an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, and Speech/Language Therapist. A strong home-school connection is encouraged so that each child s educational program can be enhanced.

What is Speech/Language Therapy?

Speech/language services are provided to children ages three to five in a small educational group setting. Services are provided by highly qualified Speech/Language Pathologists. The therapists work closely with each child s parents on developing appropriate home programs to enhance the child s goals

What is Early On?

Early On is designed to provide support to children under age 3 and their families. Non-profit agencies in Oakland County have partnered together to do assessments and provide service coordination for eligible children and their families.

If your child is under age 3, please call the Early On referral line at 248-209-2084.

Developmental Guide

By 1 year: Pulls self to standing; may step with support. Gives toy on request. Picks things up with thumb and one finger. Stacks two blocks. Follows simple directions accompanied by gestures. Gives affection. May say 2 or 3 words.

By 2 Years: Kicks large ball. Turns pages (1 at a time). Identifies 6 body parts. Imitates housework. Asks for items by name. Uses 2 or 3 words together, such as more juice.

By 3 Years: Walks up stairs. Stands momentarily on one foot. Uses utensils to feed self. Copies a circle. Uses short sentences to relate experiences. Matches colors. Demonstrates interest in toilet training.

By 4 Years: Rides a tricycle. Is toilet trained. Copies a cross. Names 6 basic colors. Can wait for a turn. Begins to play with other children. Washes hands unassisted. Uses sentences.
 

For more information, contact:

Gail Lee 
gail.lee@southfieldk12.org
248-746-7625