Child Find-I suspect a child has a disability
Do you know of an infant, child or adolescent who is not developing at the same rate of other children their age? Many children develop at their own pace, but some have more difficulty than others.
What is Child Find? 
Child Find is a process designed to identify, locate and evaluate individuals (birth through 21 years of age) with disabilities who may need special education services.
Who can begin the Child Find process?
Anyone can start this process. A parent, doctor, teacher, relative or friend can call the Northside ISD Child Find office at 397-2461 .
Why should we refer?
Early identification can prevent failure and frustration. Special attention to teaching and learning strategies may help individuals overcome barriers to learning. If a disability is not found, other resources may be available to help.
What happened after the referral is made?
The parent(s) or legal guardian will be contacted by Nothside ISD staff. Appropriate personnel will gather together based on the type and characteristics of the disability which is suspected. This school district group with the help of parents will decide if an evaluation (testing) is needed to determine if there is a disability. Parent along with this group of knowledgeable staff will meet to discuss the outcome of the evaluation, special education eligibility, and whether the student is in need of a variety of service options. This meeting is called an Admission, Review or Dismissal (ARD) meeting.
Who qualifies for special education services?
Individuals qualify for services when they have a significant educational need AND one or more of the following disabilities, according to federal and state criteria as set out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
Learning Disability (LD)
Speech Impairment (SI)
Deaf-Blind (DB)
Visual Impairment (VI)
Auditory Impairment (AI)
Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
Mental Retardation (MR)
Emotional Disturbance (ED)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Autism (AU)
Multiple Disabilities (MD)
Other Health Impairments (OH)
What services are available?
Each individual's need(s) must be addressed with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). There will be a team doing this. The team consists of the parent(s) or guardian, a school administrator or designee, an evaluation representative, teachers, other service providers if appropriate and the student, if they are able to participate.
See the section outlined in the Glossary of Terms, Programs and Services to learn more about the types of services available through the Northside ISD.
How much do these services cost?
There is no cost to parents, guardians or students for these specialized services.