Season 2 Episode 9: From Your Living Room to a School Desk; Understanding IDEA Part C, Early Intervention, and What Happens When Kids Turns 3!
In this episode, Colleen breaks down one of the most disorienting transitions families in the disability community face — the moment a child turns three and ages out of early intervention. If you've had therapists coming to your home and goals built around your family's life, and then suddenly found yourself sitting across a table from a school district team you've never met, this episode is for you.
We cover the history of how early intervention became federal law, the difference between an IFSP and an IEP, what the transition process is legally required to look like, why eligibility criteria change at age three, how implementation varies by state, where things commonly go wrong, and the emotional reality of moving from home-based sessions to a school setting.
Key reminder: Transition planning must begin at least 90 days before your child's third birthday. If your child has a summer birthday, start earlier than you think you need to. Placement must be based on your child's needs — not what the district has available.
Follow Colleen on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadvocate.slp/?hl=en
Check out Colleen's FREE resource on TPT for how to request a special education evaluation for your child: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Request-a-Special-Education-Evaluation-IEP-Parent-Handouts-15705791
SOURCES:
Early Intervention, Then and Now — History of Part C of IDEA and the original 1986 Congressional findings. parentcenterhub.org/ei-history
Overview of Early Intervention — Eligibility, the IFSP process, and timelines. parentcenterhub.org/ei-overview
Transition to Preschool — The legal transition process from Part C to Part B. parentcenterhub.org/transitionpreschool
IDEA Part C — Congressional Research Service — Federal overview of Part C requirements and state implementation data. congress.gov/crs-product/R43631
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center — Lead agency information by state. ectacenter.org/partc/partc.asp
DISCLAIMER: Colleen is a licensed speech-language pathologist and special education advocate. Nothing stated in the Unfiltered IEPs Podcast should be taken as medical or legal advice and is her expressed opinion.
