Services for children 3 to 6 years of age and school age

At age three, early intervention services such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C ends and families are referred to preschool handicapped programs or special needs pre-school administered through IDEA Part B. Part B does not allow for presumptive eligibility diagnoses. Children eligible for this program must meet eligibility diagnoses. This proves difficult for children with FAS or FASD because only a fraction actually meet these criteria. There are a few other options within the IDEA framework. FAS/FASD children may qualify in the category of learning disabled, behavior disorder, or other health impairments. This may allow children to receive services such as physical therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or social skills training. Continued counseling of the parents is also critical in this period as the parents often times become aware of their child’s limitations. Parents should keep an open line of communication with their child’s school whether or not it is a special needs program. Educational methodologies must be crafted that are appropriate for children with FAS and FASD.

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