Preschool
Children between the ages of 3-5 can be referred to their local school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).
The first step in the evaluation process begins with you, the parents. Parents, or legal guardians, must request an evaluation from the CPSE. NYTPS can assist you in contacting your local CPSE office and support you through the process as well as conduct the evaluation if you choose. A comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation team will give the CPSE the information necessary to determine if your child is eligible for service. Evaluations can be conducted within your home, child’s daycare/preschool or at our approved evaluation site in Port Jefferson. Please call 631-473-4284 EXT 126 or 150 to be speak with a Preschool Specialist.
If approved by the school district's committee on special education program, arrangements will be made for your eligible child to receive one or more of the following special education programs and/or services recommended by the CPSE including, but not limited to:
- Speech Therapy (ST)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Counseling (Play Therapy, Parent Training, Social Skills Groups)
- Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) - a special education teacher works with a child in a setting recommended by the CPSE Special Class in an integrated Setting (SC/IS) - a class with preschool students with and without disabilities. Special Class (SC) - a class with only children with disabilities.
The Committee on Preschool Special Education Program (CPSE) at your local School District is responsible for children 3-5 years old who have or are suspected of having a disability and is funded by the NY State Education Department and by the Nassau and Suffolk County Departments of Health. For Preschool Services in NYC and the 5 Boroughs click here. Evaluations and services are provided at no cost to families.
What is Typical Development?
Typical Development describes the physical, mental & social development of a child who is acquiring skills according to the expected time frame. A child who is developing in a healthy way pays attention to the voices, faces & actions of others, showing & sharing pleasure during interactions, and engaging in verbal and nonverbal back-and-forth communication.
What are Developmental Milestones?
Developmental Milestones are skills gained by a developing child, which should be achieved by a given age. Failure to achieve a particular milestone by a given age may be indicative of developmental delay.
Click here for important developmental milestones you should watch for.
*It is important to remember that children are individuals and develop at different rates. This information should be used as a general guide for your child’s development.
What to do if you have concerns about your child development.
Referral Process
Step 1:
If a parent/guardian has developmental concerns, they can call their local school district and refer their child to The Committee of Preschool Special Education (CPSE). New York Therapy is happy to explain & guide family through the process before they contact the district.
Step2:
Once the district makes a referral, they will send family a list of agencies so that you can schedule an evaluation for your child. New York Therapy Placement Services works with all school districts and would be more than happy to help administer all evaluations if family so chooses. The evaluation is provided at no cost to family.
Step 3:
After the evaluations are completed, the school district will schedule a meeting with family to determine whether child is eligible for preschool special education services.
Step 4:
If the child is eligible for services, the Pre-school Committee will create an educational plan, called an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which states the special education services that the child has the right to receive to meet their needs.