Child Find

Child Find is a federal mandate under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  It requires local education agencies (LEAs), which include public school districts and charter schools, to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing within their jurisdictions who need special education and related services.  (34 CFR §300.111—Child Find)

The LEA is obligated to conduct a Full Individual Evaluation under 34 CFR §300.301 (a) and to make a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) available to each eligible child under 34 CFR §300.101.

Every child with a disability in Texas, from age three through twenty-one as of September 1 of the current school year, has the right to a free appropriate public education.  Students with visual or auditory impairments have the right to a free appropriate public education from birth.  The ISD provides free appropriate programs for students with disabilities.  If you know a child that needs help, contact your school or Parker County Co-op Special Services. 

612 N. Rusk    Weatherford, TX  76086      817-596-0024

Child Find Resources

Individuals with Disabilities Fact Sheet (English)

Individuals with Disabilities Fact Sheet (Spanish)

Overview of Supplemental Special Education Services

Parker County Co-Op Special Services

Additional information may be obtained at: SSESinfo@tea.texas.gov

 Why is Child Find Important?

Child Find helps the child, the family, and the school to plan appropriate services and link families to services for students meeting eligibility requirements in the following disability areas:

          Speech Impairment

          Hearing Impairment

          Visual Impairment

          Deaf-Blindness

          Mental Retardation

          Autism

          Specific Learning Disabilities

          Traumatic Brain Injury

          Orthopedic Impairment

          Other Health Impairment

          Emotional Disturbance

Who Can Refer a Child to Child Find?

•  Parents
•  Preschools
•  Daycares
•  Child Care Providers
•  Doctors/Nurses
•  Social Workers
•  Anyone who knows the child

How do you know if your child is developing typically?

At 3 months, a child typically:

• follows objects with eyes

• responds to loud sounds

• smiles

• makes cooing sounds

At 6 months, a child typically:

• knows familiar faces

• plays with toes

• babbles

• sits with support

At 12 months, a child typically:

• pulls to standing position

• crawls to hands and knees

• places toys in a container

• says one or two words

At 18 months, a child typically:

• pulls off shoes and socks

• stacks blocks

• turns the pages of a book

• walks without help

• follows simple directions

At 2 years, a child typically:

• says sentences

• recognizes pictures

• plays alone

• runs

• identifies parts of a face

At 3 years, a child typically:

• rides a tricycle

• opens doors

• is toilet trained

• hops on one foot

• plays with other children

For more information, please contact MISD or Parker County Co-op Special Services at 817-596-0024.