Spotlight on Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Did you know that every resident living within the Dexter Community Schools district has access to special education resources for children from birth through five years old? Up to the age of three, parents with concerns about their child’s development can utilize services through the Early On program based at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD). Starting at age two and a half, children of district residents can be assessed and supported through the Dexter Community Schools’ Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program.

The ECSE team, part of the DCS Special Education department, provides services for children ages two and a half to five years old with developmental needs in the following areas:

• Physical: reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking
• Cognitive: thinking, learning, solving problems
• Communication: talking, listening, understanding, gesturing
• Social-emotional: feeling secure, able to calm, playing with others
• Self-help: eating, dressing*

The ECSE team is led by Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Jouel Truesdell, who also serves as the District Representative for Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The other ESCE team members are:

• Occupational Therapist (OT) Karly Smith
• Physical Therapist (PT) Kirsten Hallstrom
• Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Laura Sayers
• Social Worker Jody O'Bryan
• District Psychologist Jennifer Porcaro
• Classroom Teacher Lindsay Babicki
• Teacher Consultant Angela Anderson

Truesdell handles all special education requests from the community. These referrals can come from the Early On program, parents, or pediatricians. She meets monthly with Early On to discuss children who may be ready to transition to school-based services.

Children in Early On have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which is similar to the school-based Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Both plans outline the type and degree of support each child needs. Truesdell attends the final IFSP meeting for children moving to Dexter’s ECSE services. During this meeting, often held at the child’s home, she explains how Dexter will support their child’s learning and development.

Dexter offers three types of services based on the child’s needs:

1. Walk-in visits: Parents bring their child to Bates or the DEEC for weekly sessions with team members, such as speech, OT, PT, or social work.
    
2. Special Education/teacher consultations: Team members visit the child’s general education preschool to provide support.
    
3. Classroom-based services: Services are provided in ECSE preschool classrooms for students who, because of higher needs or medical conditions, would not be successful in a general education setting.

The ECSE classrooms typically serve about ten students each year and accept new students on a rolling basis. It’s important to note that ECSE refers to all of Dexter’s early childhood special education services, not just the preschool program or classrooms.

The first step for parents who think their child might need support is to schedule an initial screening with Truesdell. She provides feedback and may recommend a full evaluation if needed. The evaluation team can include any combination of OTs, PTs, SLPs, a social worker, a psychologist, or teachers. After the evaluation, the team creates an IEP tailored to the child’s needs.

When students turn five and are ready for kindergarten, the ECSE team works with elementary principals and teachers to ensure a smooth transition. They adjust curriculum, add classroom supports, and introduce teaching strategies that will help students succeed.

“We love to see our students move into a general education setting,” says Truesdell. “Our goal is to provide highly-concentrated interventions in the ECSE setting, so students can then be successful in a general education setting.”

Dexter strives to provide students with the most inclusive, least restrictive environment, and serves the majority of our students with disabilities in general education classrooms.

Parents concerned about their child’s development can contact Jouel Truesdell at 734-424-4100 ext. 2220 or truesdellj@dexterschools.org for referrals, resources, or support. The ECSE team is always happy to guide families toward appropriate services.

* List credit: Early On Michigan.