Dear Parent Advocate:

        My child is about to turn three years old and until recently was receiving services through the Birth to Three system.  I was told that once my son turned three, it would be the school district’s responsibility to provide him with a program that would meet his needs.  At a recent meeting, however, I was told that my son is not eligible for services because he has delays in only one area - speech.  Apparently, in my district there is a policy that children must have delays in more than one area in order to qualify for special education services.  Are there any other programs that might provide my son with speech services?  Even I have trouble understanding him.

                                                    Left Out in the Cold

Dear Left Out,

        First of all, let me assure you that it certainly may be the district’s responsibility to provide your child with the services he needs - even if his delays are in only one area. Too often we hear of “district policies” that run counter to federal law; that is one reason it is so important to understand the law and its implications.  According to Section 300.7(b) of IDEA ’97, the term “child with a disability for children aged 3 through 5 (in Connecticut) may...include a child (1) Who is experiencing developmental delays, as defined by the State and measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures, in one or more of the following areas:  physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, or adaptive development; and (2) Who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services.”  With that in mind,  I would suggest that you request another PPT (Planning and Placement Team) meeting to again address eligibility.  Remember, in all cases public law supersedes local policy. We are here to help you understand that law and the federal and state regulations that were written to implement it.