ChildFind: Searching for Children with Special Needs
Tacoma Public Schools conducts specific activities for the purposes of locating, evaluating and identifying students ages birth to 21 with suspected disabilities and who reside within the district’s boundaries. This includes students attending private schools. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of all children have a disability that hinders their educational development. Early identification of disabilities assists parents, students and schools in the design of appropriate educational services.
If your child is a preschooler
If your child is a preschooler and you have concerns about your child’s development, Tacoma Public Schools offers screening clinics for preschool children to provide information to parents on school-related development. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this FREE service, especially if you have questions regarding your child’s development. Vision, hearing and motor coordination screening is provided, as well as information on how well your child is doing with language, learning and behavior skills.
Preschool ChildFind screenings are held monthly during the academic year, and only take one to two hours per child. The screening site is located at 3201 South D Street (Willard Early Learning Center).
Parents are provided the screening results on the same day. Screening takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Contact the ChildFind office at 253-571-2610 to make an appointment for your child.
If your child will be entering kindergarten
If your child will be entering a kindergarten program next year and you have particular concerns in any of these areas, the screening is especially advised.
If your child is in school
If your child is in school and you believe a disability may impair his/her educational performance, you will be provided further information so you can decide whether to formally refer your child for a special education evaluation. It doesn’t matter if your child attends a public school or a private school.
