Characteristics Associated with the Early Identification of Children with Special Needs

Characteristics Associated with the Early Identification of Children with Special Needs in California

The proper and prompt identification of children with special needs, coupled with an appropriate course of treatment and educational plan, is essential to the academic progress of these children. Early identification allows children to receive the aid they need to succeed in school and in their future lives as productiv members of society. This aid is especially important for economically disadvantaged children, who are likely to have reduced access to medical care and limited family resources to “catch up” if they fall behind in their academic progress.

A first step in understanding and improving the mechanism for the appropriate identification of children with special needs is o uncover factors that may be influencing the timing of identification. In an ideal world, children with special needs would be identified as early and accurately as possible. In reality, certain districts and individuals are better than others at identifying students with these needs. Systematic patterns in the timing of identification may exist in relation to the demographic characteristics of students, the types of special needs they exhibit, and the district or geographical location in which they reside.

This study investigates the factors associated with the early identification of children with special needs in California. It was conducted in response to a request by the First 5 California Children and Families Commission. The study compares children identified with special needs prior to kindergarten entry with those identified after kindergarte entry, and how the two groups vary by disability type, demographic characteristics, and geographical location. In addition, possible explanations for the variation are offered. The study uses data from the California Department of Education (CDE) on all children receiving CDE services for special needs in the state. The findings point to systematic demographic differences in early identification that need to be addressed in early childhoodpolicies and further research. Several demographic patterns emerged with regard to the early identification of children with special needs in California.