Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays

Child Find Project was created to offer information and resources related to the earliest possible identification of young children and their families who may benefit from early intervention and special education services. Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to have a comprehensive system to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all children with disabilities, aged birth to 21, for early intervention or special education services. 

ASCD is a nonprofit organization that supports and educates parents of deaf children.

This resource guide includes books, videos, organizations, articles and other resources related to Autism.

The CPIR supports the Parent Centers who serve families of children with disabilities.

This article for parents provides information on Down syndrome.

This list contains Down syndrome organizations and community groups that are active in Illinois.

This early intervention office locator allows you to search by your Illinois county to find your local Child and Family Connections office.

This document provides answers to many questions related to transition from early intervention to early childhood special education.

This provides information on information, training opportunities and resources for early intervention professionals in Illinois.

This webpage gives families of infants and toddlers information about parents as teachers, the impact of visual impairment, and additional Family Connect resources.

This notice from 2021 indicates how some children receiving Illinois EI services with summer birthdays will be eligible for extended early intervention services.

This web resource gives information about Down syndrome, including understanding Down syndrome and getting more support, for new or expectant parents.

This website provides information, resources and educational resources for families of children with disabilities.

The FRCD provides parents of children with disabilities with information, training, and assistance.

This page includes information on making a referral to a local Child & Family Connections office (CFC) for an evaluation. All CFC offices have a parent liaison on staff to provide consultation to EI teams and families. Parent liaisons are parents or guardians of a child with special needs.

This website provides information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Department of Human Services provides Illinois residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving to move from welfare to work and economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.IDHS provides equitable access to social/human services, supports, programs, and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve.

Illinois EHDI works with parents and providers to ensure all babies get screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age; all infants who do not pass their hearing screen receive a diagnostic evaluation no later than 3 months of age; and all infants with a hearing loss enroll in early intervention services no later than 6 months of age.

This provides information for educators, families and stakeholders regarding education in the state of Illinois.

This resource guide introduces important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse on Down syndrome.

This 2018 memo from ISBE and IDHS to Special Education administrators clarifies and reinforces the responsibilities of the LEAs for Child Find.

This website provides free resources associated with the Child Find project.

NCDB is a federally funded service that identifies, coordinates, and disseminates information related to children and youth who are deaf-blind.

The National Down Syndrome Congress is dedicated to an improved world for individuals with Down syndrome. NDSC provides resources of support and information for anyone touched by or seeking to learn about Down syndrome.

Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: resources and support, policy and advocacy, and community engagement. 

The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is a 501c(3) nonprofit volunteer membership organization comprised of blind and interested sighted persons of all ages, their families, and friends. Local chapters, divisions, committees, programs, projects and well-trained leaders help newly blind people adjust to vision loss, and promote the full participation and integration of blind people in communities.

NIDCD is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supports research and provides information related to communication impairments. 

This webpage gives families of preschoolers information about school for visually impaired children from ages three through six, transitioning to independence, and connecting with other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired.

This document, found on the EITP blog webpage, provides guidance for parents transitioning a child from early intervention to early childhood education or early childhood special education. 

Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois is a document, developed by the Illinois State Board of Education for parents and others to learn about the educational rights of children who have disabilities and receive special education services. It is available in a variety of languages.

This webpage provides information about from the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. It describes resources related to advocacy, education, equipment, state employment, and ADA information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Illinois. 

The Autism Project (TAP) provides a variety of services and resources throughout the state of Illinois, including a referral service.

This tip sheet discusses the steps involved in a successful transition out of the early intervention system.

This document helps families understand their rights as a child transitions from early intervention to the next step in their educational journey.

This workbook was developed by parents, early intervention, and early childhood personnel to provide information for parents approaching their child’s transition from Early Intervention services to early childhood services.