Education Directory for Children With Special Needs

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supports programs in developing high-quality, effective and sustainable systems to implement services for children with disabilities (birth through 5 years) and their families that result in positive outcomes. This family-oriented page offers high-quality resources related to caring for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.

MilLife Learning provides an eLearning course with information for families to support children ages 0 to 3 with special needs in their early growth and education. Filter by “Family and Community Programs” and enroll in the Early Intervention Service course. Register for a free account to view and take courses on MilLife Learning.

U.S. Department of Education’s Early Intervention Program provides information about the Department’s early learning initiative.

Thrive, a free online parenting education program, was developed by the Defense Department in partnership with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. Thrive’s evidence-based interactive resources promote positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices for children from birth to 18. The supplemental module for exceptional families offers support to parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. Additional modules are added regularly.

Dispute resolution: The term for several processes available to parents and school systems to resolve disputes regarding a child’s special education.  A dispute may be addressed using mediations, complaint procedures, due process hearing procedures, administrative appeals and civil judicial proceedings.

Early childhood transition: This process refers to children with an individualized family service plan who are found eligible to transition, by age 3, from early intervention (IDEA Part C) to early childhood special education (IDEA Part B). The evaluation and transition process begins at least six months prior to the toddler’s third birthday.

Early intervention services: Developmental services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth to age 3) that are designed to meet the developmental needs of the child as identified by the individualized family service plan team. These services are often provided in the settings that are natural, such as the home or community. Programs are available in every state and territory, and through the Defense Department.

Educational and Developmental Intervention Services: The program operated by the military departments that provides early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) in overseas and designated domestic locations and related services for children ages 3-21 attending DoDEA schools overseas.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: The IDEA is a federal law that makes a free appropriate public education available to children with disabilities and establishes rights and protections for children with disabilities and their families.

Individualized Education Program: An IEP is a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed and revised in accordance with IDEA. The IEP includes the child’s present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, accommodations, modifications, related services and how the child’s progress toward meeting the annual goals will be measured. By age 3, an IEP must be developed for eligible toddlers transitioning from early intervention (IDEA Part C) to early childhood special education (IDEA Part B).

Individualized Family Service Plan: The IFSP guides and supports the provision of early intervention services for children with special needs, ages birth to age 3. A team that includes the parents develops the IFSP, which identifies child and family needs and is reviewed every six months and updated at least once a year.

Infant or toddler with a disability: A child under 3 years of age who, based on appropriate diagnostic assessments and procedures, needs early intervention services due to a developmental delay in one or more areas of cognitive, physical, adaptive and social or emotional development and communication; or has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.

Department of Defense Education Activity is a federally operated school system that is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and managing prekindergarten through 12th grade educational programs on behalf of the Defense Department. DoDEA operates 161 accredited schools in nine districts located in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Installation school liaisons assist with transition support, including school selection, transfer of credits and youth sponsorship referrals, and can also help military-connected families at any time with all education-related matters for pre-K through 12th grade.

Accommodations and Modifications: Accommodations and modifications support changes in what is being taught or expected from the student with a disability by making assignments and learning activities easier.

Accommodations can help students learn the same material as their same-age peers by making changes to how material is taught and/or how their learning is assessed. These changes are designed to allow the students to meet the same expectations as their peers. An example of an accommodation would be allowing a student with ADHD to take tests in a separate room free of distractions while their peers take the same test in the classroom.

Modifications support changes to the student’s curriculum. They change what is being taught. Modifications allow a student with a disability to participate and make progress in their education in a manner that is right for them.

For example, a child with a cognitive disability that affects the ability to read may need to use reduced-level textbooks and have other learning strategies regularly employed to develop and increase reading skills.

An individualized education program may contain both accommodations and modifications, depending on the student’s needs.

Age of majority: The age at which a young person is considered an adult, as defined by state law. Rights and responsibilities that parents had under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act with respect to their child’s education belong to that child when the age of majority is reached. The IEP must include a statement that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer on reaching the age of majority.

Child with a disability: A child with intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments (including deafness), speech or language impairments, visual impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments or specific learning disabilities, and needs special education and related services.

Dispute resolution: The term for several processes available to parents and school systems to resolve disputes regarding a child’s special education.  A dispute may be addressed using mediations, complaint procedures, due process hearing procedures, administrative appeals and civil judicial proceedings.

Early childhood transition: This process refers to children with an individualized family service plan who are eligible to transition, by age 3, from early intervention (IDEA Part C) to early childhood special education (IDEA Part B) with an IEP. The process begins at least six months prior to the toddler’s third birthday.

Extended school year services: A component of special education services provided to students with disabilities beyond the normal school year. The primary purposes of ESY are to prevent serious regression of previously learned skills, prevent the interruption of a major breakthrough in learning and maintain skills for students with significant educational needs.

Free appropriate public education: Children with special education needs have the same right to K-12 public education that students without disabilities have. Students with disabilities may need special education, related aids and services to receive and benefit from that education. Public elementary and secondary schools, including charter schools, must provide a free appropriate education regardless of the nature or severity of a student’s disabilities. An “appropriate” education is determined by evaluating students’ educational needs and is based on their individual needs and strengths.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: The IDEA is a federal law that makes a free appropriate public education available to children with disabilities and establishes rights and protections for children with disabilities and their families.

Individualized Education Program: An IEP is a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed and revised in accordance with IDEA. The IEP includes the child’s present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, accommodations, modifications, related services and how the child’s progress toward meeting the annual goals will be measured. By age 3, an IEP must be developed for eligible toddlers transitioning from early intervention (IDEA Part C) to early childhood special education (IDEA Part B).

Individualized Transition Plan: This is a plan that addresses a student’s transition out of public education and begins no later than age 16. The ITP consists of goals that cover outcomes in the areas of post-school activities, post-secondary education, employment, community experiences and daily living skills.

Least restrictive environment: The intent of this principle is to ensure that children receiving special education services are educated with children who are not disabled to the greatest extent possible.

Related services: Services required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Examples of these services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, counseling services and transportation.

Special education: Specifically designed instruction, free to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.

Center for Parent Information and Resources provides a central source of information on infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

EFMP & Me helps you navigate the DOD’s network of services and support for families with special needs.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act website provides information on IDEA Part C resources for infants and toddlers with disabilities, as well as children and youth ages 3 through 21 who receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS provides up-to-date contact information for military treatment facilities, EFMP Family Support services, school liaisons and other resources you may need.

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission provides information on your child’s transition with each move.

Office of Special Education Programs provides a list of special education contact information by state.

Office of Special Needs and Military OneSource created a series of podcasts to help service members, family members, and service providers and leaders learn more about the Exceptional Family Member Program, including an episode designed specifically for early intervention.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS If you’re looking for information about your new installation and community, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is the place to get answers. Use this online tool to find installation overviews, contacts for programs and services, check-in procedures, community information and more, for installations worldwide.

Plan My Move is an online moving tool that simplifies the moving process, breaking it down into clear, manageable steps. Your installation’s relocation professionals can help you plan for a successful move.

Preparing for Your Move fact sheet provides suggestions for making the transition easier as your child enters a new school system following your family’s move to a new duty station.