Is there something like Child Find in Rhode Island?

[Anonymous]

I live in MoCo and have a 7 year old with HFA. When she was 3, she was assessed through the county (Child Find) and identified with a developmental delay that made her eligible for PEP and an IEP.

Today I got a call from a close friend who lives in RI, who has a 4 year old who is having excessive tantrums and what sounds like sensory issues and anxiety. She has a niece with HFA and what she is describing sounds concerning (and she is concerned about it). Her pediatrician does not sound particularly responsive or helpful. Is there anything in RI like Child Find or somewhere she can go for an evaluation other than trying to find a private therapist with appropriate expertise?

[Anonymous]

Child Find is part of the public school system and takes over for early intervention starting at age 3. She should contact the public school system to find out who can evaluate her child and arrange services.

[Anonymous]

http://www.ride.ri.gov/StudentsFamilies/SpecialEducation/EarlyChildhoodSpecialEducation.aspx

[Anonymous]

Here is another site with information on what is called Early Intervention Services in Rhode Island:

www.johnstonschools.org/documents/SPED/Procedures/L.%20Early%20Intervention.pdf

[Anonymous]

Child Find and EI exist in every state--it's just an unfunded mandate in most states, meaning the law requires these programs but doesn't do anything if states don't allocate $ for them.