Are you concerned about your child's development?
One of the most important responsibilities you have as a parent is to make sure that your child has what he/she needs. That goes beyond love, food and clothing. Approximately ten percent of all children have some special need that requires special attention. If you think your child (birth through age 21) has difficulty seeing or hearing, has communication or diagnosed health problems, has difficulty learning or playing, help is as close as your Childfind Coordinator at your local school district.
Contact Heather Quigley at 509-346-2206 ext. 1801, or Patty Tapia at 509-346-2487 ext. 1800. Learn more about Child Find requirements on the OSPI website.
Download the print-friendly version of our Child Find brochure: English / Spanish
Child Find
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Child Find Screening
Child Find is a federally mandated program whose purpose is to locate and identify children from birth through twenty-one years of age who have disabilities that require special education and/or related services.
What is a Child Find Screening?
Screening is a free check of your child's development including:
- Large muscle development
- Eye-hand coordination (fine motor skills)
- Communication
- Concepts
- Personal-social skills
- Self-help skills
What is the Purpose of a Child Find Screening?
The purpose of the screen is to identify any factors that may interfere with your child's learning, growth, and development. The related screening is also provided to help parents identify their child's strengths and weaknesses and provide home suggestions.
What happens during a Child Find Screening?
During the screening, your child may stack small blocks, cut with scissors, draw, count, name colors, jump, and have fun! Following the screening, a trained professional will talk with you about the results of the screening. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions about your child’s development. You may be given home suggestions, referred for further testing, or be scheduled to have skills rechecked at a later date. The screening process usually takes about 45 minutes.
Who is eligible to be screened?
Any child, birth to age five, whose family or caregivers would like more information about their child’s development. All school districts within Washington State have Child Find screenings available. If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening.
Who may refer a child to the Child Find Program?
Any person who observes a child they suspect may have a disability may refer the child to the district for screening and possible assessment to determine eligibility.
What is the process?
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Child Find referral is given to the special programs department.
- The parent is invited to review the information.
- If the team, including the parent, determines an assessment is needed, parent written permission will be required.
- The assessment is conducted when parent permission is received.
- Parents meet with members of the assessment team to discuss the assessment results.
- If the team, including the parent, determines the child qualifies, an appropriate Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed.
Where Can I Go for Screening?
Contact Patty Tapia, Special Education Secretary
509-346-2487
Royal School District
230 Wildflower St. NE
P.O. Box 486
Royal City, WA 99357