Early Childhood Special Education is a program provided by the public school system which offers services to preschool children ages 3-5 years of age with significant developmental delays.

Areas of developmental delay may include: Cognitive , Adaptive Behavior, Communication, Physical , and Social/Emotional.

Children ages 3-5 within the Aurora Public School District may qualify for services which are provided at no cost to families. Eligibility is determined following a multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation. A child’s development must be significantly delayed in one or more of the following areas: cognitive; adaptive behavior; communication; physical ; and social/emotional.

Complete Diagnostic Evaluation: parent interview, observations, standardized testing to determine eligibility for the program.

• Young children with disabilities should successfully participate with peers in a variety of community and school settings.

• All preschool children should have the opportunity to develop relationships and friendships with their peers.

• Young children with disabilities and their families should experience smooth transitions into new environments within the community and school.

• 3 Early Childhood Instructors

• Speech/Language Pathologists

• Occupational Therapist

• Physical Therapist

• Classroom Paraprofessionals

• Counselor

• Diagnosticians

• Program Coordinator

• Secretary

Early Childhood Setting: Services may be provided in a group educational experience of similar ages and developmental levels.

Early Childhood Special Education Setting: Allows young children with significant developmental delays to receive services in a classroom designed for 3, 4, and 5 year olds.

Itinerant Services Outside the Home: Services may be provided in an elementary school, Head Start Center, community preschool, or daycare.

Home: Services may be provided in the home dependent upon severity of student needs.