"Where do I start?"- Early Intervention and Evaluation
If you are worried about how your child is talking, moving, playing, etc. , you don't need an official diagnosis to get help. In the state of Tennessee, any parent can ask for a free evaluation without a doctor's referral!
For Children Under 3: TEIS (Tennessee's Early Intervention System)
- What is TEIS?: TEIS is a free program for infants and toddlers that may have a developmental delay/disability. Services take place in the home or community, alongside your family! Your child isn't left alone with a service provider, and there is no need to travel to a clinic for them.
- Who is TEIS for?: A child may qualify for TEIS if they have already been diagnosed with a condition on the program's disability list (link to website), were born prematurely, or show delays in areas of development (like walking and talking).
You don't need to know exactly which of these apply to your child! Anyone can make a referral, even if you're simply just unsure and want some insight.
- Cost?: The evaluation is completely free! If your child qualifies for services, they are either free or low-cost, regardless of income or insurance status.
To request for an evaluation, call TEIS directly at (800) 852-7157.
- What happens after the call?: Typically, a service coordinator will reach out soon to schedule a developmental evaluation. If you child qualifies for TEIS, then you and the coordinator will work together to build an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan), which is a written plan based on your family's daily routines and goals, what services your child will receive, and how often those services will take place.
What happens at age 3? (This trips up a lot of families- read this before your child turns 3)
It is commonly understood that turning 3 means TEIS ends and school automatically begins! This isn't entirely true, and you actually have a choice!
Option 1: Move into preschool special education (most common path)
If your child needs to keep receiving services through the school system, TEIS must let the school district your child will attend know. This has to be done between 9 months and 90 days before the child's 3rd birthday so the district can prepare. The TEIS service coordinator assigned to you will then set up a transition IEP meeting before your child turns 3.
If you choose this option, an IEP (Individualized Education Program) must be written and started by the child's 3rd birthday- NOT SOMETIME AFTER. Districts must meet this deadline, so don't be afraid to ask questions or reach out to people if a meeting hasn't been scheduled and the 3rd birthday approaches.
At the IEP meeting, you'll talk about:
1. Whether your child qualifies for preschool special education (ages 3-5).
2. LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)- where your child will spend their time in a
classroom, which looks different for every child.
3. The move from an IFSP to an IEP, which is a more school-centered plan.
Completing school paperwork registration early (which many schools now do online) can speed up this process.
Option 2: Stay in TEIS past age 3 (TEIS Extended Option)
Many parents don't know this, but Tennessee actually lets families choose whether they want to keep their child in TEIS past age 3 till the school year after their child's 5th birthday.
Some families prefer to stay in TEIS, whereas others like to move into the school system sooner rather than later. Ask your TEIS service coordinator about which option is best for your child and what a TEIS extended option would look like.
For children already 3-5 and not in TEIS:
If your child is already past age 3, TEIS isn't the path, but you still don't need a diagnosis to ask for help. Every Tennessee school district is required to identify and evaluate children ages 3-22 who may have a disability. This program is called Child Find, and it applies whether or not your child is already enrolled in school.
Simply request an evaluation from your local school district at any time. We'll walk through exactly how to word that request in the next section.
Sources: Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (TEIS Family Resources), Tennessee Department of Education Special Education Manual, TN Early Intervention System.
