Preschool-aged students who might need special education services are referred to Special School District by the student's home school district, either through the Parents as Teachers program or First Steps, a federal early-intervention program for children from birth to 3 years old. Parents also have the option to make a referral. After the referral, the student will be evaluated by our special education diagnostic staff.

If your student has not been referred to receive special education services, and you would like him or her to be evaluated for special education needs, please speak with your student's teacher. Our process for referral includes observations, input from families, screening, diagnostics, CARE Team meetings, Individualized Family Service Plans, Individualized Education Plans, Parent Educators and family conferences. This process is different for each family, and we will help each family through this process individually.

Adaptations and modifications that might be used to assist your student could be instructional, curricular, environmental, behavioral strategies, supplementary aids/supports or equipment your student needs to be successful in preschool. Related services, such as speech therapy, language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work or assistive technology, are also available to meet the needs of students.

Please visit the Special School District website or contact Geannie Floyd, early childhood special education coordinator, at 314-989-8376 or grfloyd@ssdmo.org to learn more about early childhood special education.