What is Child Find?
Child Find is how Millington Municipal Schools identify students who may be having problems. This may include children who are gifted (having high intellectual potential) as well as students who have trouble seeing or hearing, need special education services, or need supports to learn. Children with giftedness or special education needs can be found in all types of families. It is important to find these children and give them the help they need as early as possible.
How does Child Find work?
A screening checks to see if children are developing and learning the way they should be at their age.
Screening uses a variety of tests and observations to find possible problems in the following areas:
- Hearing
- Vision
- Speech
- Language
- Thinking skills
- Moving and using muscles
- Self help
For Children from Kindergarten through age 21
Millington Municipal Schools embraces the Response to Intervention framework as a system for delivering increased levels of support to students by identifying at-risk students, monitoring student progress and providing evidence-based interventions.
Any child can be screened anytime it is requested by a teacher, parent or concerned individual. Each school has a team of professionals who help identify children who may need assistance in the classroom. This may include students not learning on grade level. It also includes students with high academic achievement, creative thinking and intelligence.
Families do not have to agree to have their child screened because it is done for all children.
What happens after screening?
Based on screening results, students will receive interventions which could include teaching a skill deficit or providing enrichment activities. After collecting data aligned to the impact of provided interventions have been collected over a period of time the team or any individual can refer a child for a more thorough evaluation. Families must agree before more thorough formal test(s) are done. If more tests are needed, an assessment team, including the parents, will decide what tests need to be given.
What will the evaluation show?
The evaluation may show the child does not need additional supports provided through an Individualized Education Program or 504 Plan.
If a child qualifies for special education, 504, or gifted services, an educational plan for meeting the child’s needs is written. The child’s parents are part of the team that decides what services the child needs.
Early Intervention Can Make A Difference
All children grow and develop at different rates. A problem in one or two skill areas may not be serious, but it is important to be certain. The sooner the delay in development is discovered, the sooner help can be offered. Screening is the first step in identifying children who may need special services.
Who Do I Call To Arrange For A Screening?
Contact the Department of Exceptional Children:
Phone: (901) 873-5680