Presented by: Gracee Condor, ESC-20 Special Education Evaluation Consultant
Evaluating our youngest learners requires a specialized lens that balances clinical data with developmental trajectories. With the formal introduction of Developmental Delay (DD) as a standalone eligibility category in Texas, evaluators must now navigate new criteria, age limits, and documentation requirements.
This session utilizes the "A Closer Glance" framework to refine evaluation practices for children ages 3 through 5. We will move beyond standardized testing to explore play-based assessment, informed clinical opinion, and the strategic use of the DD category to ensure students receive the most appropriate support without premature or inaccurate labeling.
This session will help participants:
- Analyze early childhood referral information to identify developmental, educational opportunity, and cultural or linguistic factors requiring further evaluation.
- Apply ECI transition timelines and evaluation requirements to support timely eligibility and IEP decision-making.
- Apply Texas Developmental Delay criteria when evaluating eligibility for children ages 3 through 9.
- Differentiate potential disability-related needs from developmental variability, language differences, and differences in access to meaningful learning opportunities.
- Synthesize standardized, authentic, observational, family, and multidisciplinary data to support defensible eligibility decisions and educational recommendations.
*** This program has been submitted for approval for 3 hours of continuing education in the Distinct Populations domain of for school psychologists in CE Broker.***
This session is free to members of the Special Education Cooperative.
Upon completion of your Connect20 registration for this session, you will receive an automated confirmation message. If you do not receive this message, please first check your spam/junk folder. If you are still unable to locate the message, contact Central Registration at Central.Registration@esc20.net or call 210-370-5671 for assistance during business hours 8 am - 4:30 pm.