Child Find - The State's Obligation to Identify Children with Disabilities

Each state is required to develop and carry out programs designed to locate and evaluate children who are in need of special education services. This requirement is referred to as "Child Find." Many children will be students at public schools, and they will be relatively easy for a state to find. However, states are also required to find children who are students in private school, children who have not yet begun school (beginning at age 3), and children who are homeless or are wards of the state. The states must find these children regardless of the severity of the child’s disability.

States can satisfy this obligation in a number of ways. One of the most common ways is to make sure that people who deliver services to children – for example, pediatricians, day care providers, and preschools – know how to refer children for special education evaluations.

Each state is required to develop and carry out programs designed to locate and evaluate children who are in need of special education services. This requirement is referred to as "Child Find." Many children will be students at public schools, and they will be relatively easy for a state to find. However, states are also required to find children who are students in private school, children who have not yet begun school (beginning at age 3), and children who are homeless or are wards of the state. The states must find these children regardless of the severity of the child’s disability.

States can satisfy this obligation in a number of ways. One of the most common ways is to make sure that people who deliver services to children – for example, pediatricians, day care providers, and preschools – know how to refer children for special education evaluations.