Child Find Under Three
Birth to Three
If your infant has a medically diagnosed disability or doesn’t seem to be developing at the same pace as other babies or toddlers of the same age, he or she may be eligible to receive services through Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). ECI is a statewide program that supports families in helping their children reach their full potential.
Research shows that the earlier a child receives intervention and services, the better they will grow developmentally. For a child with a speech delay, “services” may mean speech therapy. For a child with Cerebral Palsy, “services” may be more comprehensive, including physical and occupational therapies, as well as assistive technology or nursing services.
ECI provides evaluations and assessments for children aged birth to three years, at no cost to families, to determine if the child is eligible for services. After determining eligibility, ECI will recommend services that will best support the infant's development.
Early Childhood Special Education
What is Early Childhood Special Education?
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is a program for students with disabilities ages three, four, and some five-year-olds. This program is designed to provide instruction for students with delays in cognition, communication, psychomotor skills, self-care, and social-emotional development. Options for the ECSE program include self-contained, inclusive/blended classrooms, as well as kindergarten with special education support through specially designed instruction. To be eligible to receive services under the Early Childhood Special Education Program, a child must meet both the following criteria for eligibility:
- a category of disability, and
- a need for specially designed instruction.
Categories of Disability:
- Auditory Impairment*
- Autism
- Deaf-Blind*
- Emotional Disturbance
- Intellectual Disability
- Learning Disability
- Multiple Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Speech/Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment*
*Services may begin at birth for children with visual and/or auditory impairments.
If you are concerned that a child you know may have a disability and need specialized instruction, please contact Argyle ISD at spedhelp@argyleisd.com
Who do I contact to refer a child under 2 years and 9 months?
Contact your local ECI provider:
MHMR of Tarrant County
ECI of North Central Texas
3840 Hulen Street, Suite 602
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Referral Number - (888) 754-0524
Fax Number - (817) 569-4492
Email: Anisha.Philips@mhmrtc.org
Web: www.mhmrtc.org