Child Find Information
Child Find
Richardson ISD has special services available for eligible infants, children, and young adults identified with disabilities. Federal and state laws require that school districts maintain a Child Find system for identifying, locating, and evaluating individuals with suspected disabilities (birth through age 21) within its jurisdiction who are in need of special education and related services.
Richardson ISD is ready, willing, and able to identify and serve all children with disabilities residing within its jurisdiction who are in need of special education and related services. Our Child Find efforts include advertising the availability of services through media, public notices, staff training, community outreach, and letters to private schools, physicians, nursing homes, group homes and hospitals.
Anyone can initiate the Child Find process: a parent/guardian, a doctor, a teacher, a relative or a friend can call their local school district’s Child Find program. If you are concerned about a child’s learning, contact your local school campus or district office.
Special Education Referrals
Birth to 36 months of age
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) provides comprehensive early intervention services to families with infants and toddlers (birth through 36 months of age) who have a medical diagnosis, developmental delay or atypical development. Early intervention services are provided as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C as amended in 2004. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through developmental services. ECI provides evaluation and assessments to determine eligibility and need for services. ECI services are provided by the Warren Center.
The Richardson location for the Warren Center is located at 320 Custer Road, Richardson, TX 75080. The main phone number is 972-490-9055 and the main email address is center@thewarrencenter.org.
3 years to 5 years of age
If you know of someone with a suspected delay or disability who is between the ages of 3 and 5 years old and is not yet enrolled in an RISD school, please complete the Early Childhood Special Education Evaluation Intake Form.
Once a referral has been made, the evaluation process will begin. A Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) will be completed to determine the child’s eligibility and educational need for special education services and the evaluation will be presented at an ARD meeting.
Private/Home School Students
Referrals are accepted primarily from parents, private school administrators, or physicians, for students who attend a private school within the RISD boundaries or who live within the RISD boundaries and are home-schooled. In order to initiate an evaluation referral, please complete the Private School/Homeschool Evaluation Intake Form.
Evaluations are typically assigned to evaluation teams within the geographical area closest to the private school or home address of the student. A Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) will be completed to determine the child’s eligibility and educational need for special education services and the evaluation will be presented at an ARD meeting.
If a student meets eligibility for services, the ARD committee will offer a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) along with a specific Individual Education Program (IEP) to define the recommended special education services, goals and accommodations. The parent may decline FAPE and the proposed IEP in order to choose an Individual Services Plan for their child. The district will determine the types of services to be offered for students with identified disabilities who attend home or private school.
Current RISD students who are 3 years to 21 years of age
A referral for a suspected disability can be made by anyone. If you know of someone with a suspected delay or disability who is enrolled in an RISD school, please contact the campus administrator.
Once a referral has been made, the evaluation process will begin. A Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) will be completed to determine the child’s eligibility and educational need for special education services and the evaluation will be presented at an ARD meeting.
FAQs
Child Find is a process designed to help identify, locate, and evaluate individuals from birth through age 21 with suspected disabilities who may need special education services.
- The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be contacted by a Richardson ISD representative.
- A committee comprised of the parent/guardian and school personnel will determine if an evaluation is needed. If appropriate, this committee may develop an assessment plan designed to evaluate all areas of concern.
- An evaluation will be completed by the appropriate Richardson ISD personnel at no charge to the family.
- The parent/guardian and evaluation personnel will have a scheduled meeting to discuss the assessment results, determine eligibility, and services options, if applicable.
Individuals qualify for special education services when they have one or more of the following disabilities, according to state and federal guidelines:
- Autism
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Previously Auditory Impairment)
- Deaf-Blindness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment (including blindness)
If the child is not currently enrolled in RISD, you may contact the Richardson ISD Special Student Services department at 469-593-7523 or complete one of the following google forms to initiate the evaluation request. If the child is enrolled in RISD, you may contact the campus administrator at the student’s campus to request evaluation.
Richardson ISD extends the Child Find privileges to students who attend private schools located within the Richardson ISD boundaries and to students who live within the boundaries and are home-schooled. To request a private school or homeschool evaluation, please complete the RISD Private School Evaluation Intake Form.
The following links below provide information and resources for students with disabilities and their families:
Contact Information
Child Find Information/Referrals
Phone: 469-593-7523
Email: childfind@risd.org
Birth to 3 years old-The Warren Center, ECI
Phone: 972-490-9055
The Warren Center Website