What+Are+Children+Entitled+To?

In order to be eligible for special education, a child must have "one of the disabling conditions recognized by the Disabilities Education Act regulations" ([|brighttots.com] ). These conditions include, but are not limited to, speech-language impairment, hearing or visual impairment, cognitive delay, learning disabilities, and autism.

Bright Tots' website also states that children aged five or younger can be identified as having an unspecified disability. If eligible for preschool special education, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team sets a date for services to start. This date must be on or after the child's third birthday.

Finally, the website states that "in a preschool special education program, children are guaranteed all of the protections and benefits of the federal and state special education laws. The central benefit under these laws is a free, appropriate public education. Every child who qualifies for special education has the right to a public education. It does not matter how severe the child's disabilities may be or how much special education the child requires."  