ECSE

2nd Qtr Newsletter February 2016

• he Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides specialized services to students three through five years of age with disabilities ranging from mild to severe and profound. Our students attend a half-day educational program in either the morning session: 9:00-11:35 or the afternoon session 1:25-4:00. Students in our ECSE program are placed here by the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services because it was determined that they learn best in a small class size with a significantly modified curriculum.

  Students attending our ECSE program have been identified through Child Find, which identifies children birth through age five who may have special needs. This includes a developmental screening, which takes place monthly at libraries and park districts across the city. The screening results may identify those who may need early intervention or special education services. The Child Find Screening Team provides screenings to children from 3 months to 5 years of age who experience difficulties with:

  • Cognitive/Academic (problem solving, counting, matching)

  • Motor Skills (building blocks, drawing, skipping, hopping)

  • Communication (speaking, listening, talking)

  • Social/Emotional (self control, playing, sharing)

  • Health (Medical concerns)

  • Vision (ability to see)

  • Hearing (ability to hear)

  Call 773-553-1900 for free developmental screening dates in your neighborhood. A referral will be made if the Child Find Screening Team indicates a need for a further evaluation. Children who are 2.9 years to 5 years old will be referred to a facility for further evaluation.