What age range does Early Childhood Special Education typically serve?

Early Childhood Special Education typically serves children from birth to age 5. This age range is critical for development, as it encompasses key milestones in cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Programs and services are designed to support children with disabilities or delays during these formative years, ensuring they receive appropriate intervention to facilitate optimal development and preparation for transition to school.

Serving children from birth allows for early identification and intervention, which research has shown can significantly improve outcomes for children with disabilities. By focusing on the birth to age 5 timeframe, Early Childhood Special Education can provide individualized support and services that are essential as children start their journey into formal education.