For Early Intervention children who are turning 3 years old, this is a critical time of transition as well. These children are getting ready to move into the new environment of pre-school, which will prepare them for kindergarten. The school district becomes involved in the child's educational development at this point, if the family so chooses. Fortunately for families involved in Early Intervention, there are clear guidelines for making the transition from Early Intervention into pre-school. In fact, those of us working in Early Intervention are thinking about that transition at the age of 3 long before we actually arrive at that birthday! And we work with families on that all important step.
Starting when the child is 2 years, 3 months old, the Early Intervention Service Coordinator will begin talking with the parents or caregivers about transition to school. She can help the parent or caregiver to understand what kinds of supports the child might need or expect when heading into school. Since many children who have been in Early Intervention have some developmental delays, they may be eligible for special consideration and support at the school. They may in fact be eligible for special education services.
First, let's make sure we are all clear: Parents, or other caregivers (foster parents, grandparents, etc.) have a say about this important milestone in the child's life. You can choose how the Early Intervention providers who have been working with your child will interface with the local school district. You can decide what your Early Intervention provider will share with the schools, and how a Transition Planning Conference will go. In fact, by law, the Early Intervention Service Coordinator will have the parent/caregiver sign a release of information form before she can speak with the school.
The Early Intervention Service Coordinator will plan the Transition Planning Conference with the parents or caregivers, connecting with the school personnel to set up a meeting that includes your Early Intervention team, parents/caregivers, and representatives from the school. By regulation this meeting must occur by the time the child is 2 years, 9 months old. And you as a parent/caregiver can bring other family members, supportive friends, or other community providers to the meeting.
In the Transition Planning Conference decisions are made about the services the school district will provide for the child. The Early Intervention staff can outline the work they have done with the child, and the progress that has been made. They can identify the child's strengths, and how that child learns best. They will help to articulate the particular challenges the child may have, to help determine what are the best next steps as the child becomes a student in the pre-school setting. School personnel are always interested to hear about the experience of the Early Intervention team, since that team has worked with that prospective student so closely.
While Early Intervention staff are always a little sad to say goodbye to the young child with whom we have worked and played, we celebrate his or her accomplishments, and we are always glad to have worked closely with the parents or caregivers to help the child have the best transition to the school system.
If you have any questions about the Transition Planning Conference, please do not hesitate to send me a note.
- Michael S. Hutton-Woodland, Ph.D.
