Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) provides services for children from three years to kindergarten age who qualify for services due to developmental delay or categorical disability. Children in ECSE have disabilities that significantly impact their developmental progress. Services provided are based on the unique special education need of each child.
The focus of Oregon’s Early Childhood Special Education program is on:
- teaching the child needed skills in areas of developmental delay,
- preparing the child for a school setting, and,
- incorporating intervention strategies into the child’s day.
ECSE services are determined by the IFSP team and may include:
- Articulation Group focuses on children with speech sound development.
- ECSE Developmental Class is recommended for three to five-year-olds who need more structure, practice and repetition to learn due to severe developmental delays.
- Structured Class is recommended for children who are three to five years old who have autism spectrum disorder and require a highly specialized, intensive intervention program.
- Consultation to Community Sites is recommended for children who will benefit from a preschool environment with typical peers and special education services/support which can be provided at that site.
- Cascade Regional Services provides specialized support for children with vision impairments, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, or autism spectrum disorder. Services may include evaluation, consultation, support in preschools and group settings, and use of equipment.
- Connections to Community Resources Specialists and therapists may assist parents as they identify community-based providers or services (support groups, social services, community activities, and so on).
Level of services in each of these options vary and are based on the needs of the child and family.
