”SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES”
Early childhood special education (ECSE)
services are specialized services, most
commonly provided in the preschool
setting, for children age three to
kindergarten. These services include
interventions which are based around the
child’s daily routines and are determined by
the child’s needs and interests. The
interventions are designed to enable the
young child to participate more actively,
independently and successfully in a variety
of settings. Intervention specialists work
with children, their families and their
teachers to promote the child’s development
in the areas of cognition, communication,
social, motor and self-help skills.
•
Families can access specialists
including:
• Early Childhood Special
Education Teacher
•
Speech Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Teacher
• Audiologist
• Teacher of the Visually
Impaired
• Physical Impairment Teacher
• School Psychologist
Accessing Early Childhood
Special Education Services
The Evaluation:
When a child is referred for an evaluation, a
team of intervention specialists works with
the parents to develop an evaluation plan.
The information from the evaluation is used
to determine if the child qualifies for early
childhood special education services.
 If the child qualifies, the team,
including the parents will work
together to develop an
Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
 This plan is based on the child’s
needs and interests and is developed
around the child’s daily routines in
their natural environment.
Intervention:
Early childhood special education services
are most commonly provided in a regular
preschool setting, though others settings are
possible based in the individual needs of the
child.
 The team, including the parents and
teacher, work together to develop
goals and objectives for the child
based on their needs identified in the
evaluation process.
 Various intervention specialists will
work directly or indirectly with the
child, depending on the needs
identified during the evaluation
process.
 Most interventions are provided in
the classroom setting during the
child’s normal routines.
Role of the Intervention
Specialists
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Listen to parent and teacher
concerns
Observe the child’s skills
Problem solve and brain storm with
families and teachers to develop
strategies that can be incorporated
into the child’s everyday routines
Model and/or demonstrate
strategies to maximize the child’s
potential
Work directly with the child on their
goals and objectives
Offer other resources and
suggestions to address the child’s
needs
Communicate progress or changes in
the child’s performance to the child’s
family and teachers
Role of the Caregiver and
Teacher
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Ask questions
Identify learning opportunities
within your daily routines
Practice skills during the preschool
day and at home
Share successes and frustrations
Openly communicate with the
intervention specialists
”SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES”
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are services provided? This
is a decision made by the team, including
the parents and teachers. It varies
depending on the needs of the child.
Where are services provided? Early
childhood special education services for
children age three to kindergarten are most
commonly provided in the preschool
setting. Locations may vary depending on
the specific needs of the child.
How long will my child need services?
The length of time which services are
provided varies depending on the type of
needs and severity of the needs of the child.
Students receiving early childhood special
education services are reevaluated every
three years to determine their current level
of performance, as well as their current
needs. As long as a child continues to show
an educational need for services the district
will continue to offer services.
How can we access services? Anyone
can refer a child to testing by calling Help
me Grow at 1-866-693-4769. If the testing
indicates the child is eligible, services will be
initiated.
Our ECSE Specialists
Lisa Maschino: ECSE Teacher
lmaschino@central.k12.mn.us
Kelli Sawyer: Speech/Language
Pathologist
ksawyer@central.k12.mn.us
Central Public Schools
Early Childhood Special
Education
“Supporting and Empowering Families”
Ginny Garlock: Physical Therapist
ggarlock@swmetro.k12.mn.us
Pam Reinhardt: Occupational Therapist
preinhardt@central.k12.mn.us
We also have access to:
-Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing
-Vision Impairment Teacher
-Audiologist
-Physical Impairment Teacher
-School Psychologist
Lindsay Woodard: Early Intervention
Coordinator
lwoodard@central.k12.mn.us
952-467-7359
Melanie Kray- Director of Special Education
mel.kray@central.k12.mn.us
952-467-7174
Lindsay Woodard: Early Intervention
Coordinator
lwoodard@central.k12.mn.us
952-467-7359