Please Understand Child Find

What Administrators Don't Want You to Know 

When parents suspect a disability, all they need to understand is that their child is entitled to receive a "full and individual evaluation," or FIE, by federal law. And they also need to know how to request it: IN WRITING. This legal right is known as Child Find and it is a special provision under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Section 300.111).

But many parents don't know this. An FIE is a costly evaluation (so many administrators won't be forthcoming or transparent). Trusting parents also may ask an administrator what to do in person, which is a big mistake. 

"Your child won't qualify for special education because she's not failing."

Should parents ask an administrator in person, chances are this is what they will hear. But parents should remember: they aren't asking for services, they are asking for an evaluation. This dissuasive tactic is meant to discourage parents from requesting a costly evaluation when funding is limited. An FIE should uncover any disability as well as any comorbidiities associated with that disability. Once parents receive the evaluation, then they can determine the next step which are services.