What does Child Find mean?

Child Find is a requirement under IDEA (34 CFR §300.111) that obligates schools and states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children who may have disabilities and may need special education and related services. It's an affirmative duty: the school is supposed to look, not wait to be asked.

Who Child Find covers

• Children who are struggling but still passing;
• Children who are home-schooled or attend private school;
• Children who are highly mobile, including migrant and homeless students;
• Children from birth through age 21, across all disability categories.

Importantly, Child Find applies even when a child is getting by. Good grades don't excuse the school from evaluating a child who may have a disability and need services to access their education.

What it means in practice

If school staff have reason to suspect a disability — through screenings, teacher observations, or your concerns — they should move toward an evaluation rather than "waiting to see." Repeated struggles, interventions that aren't working, or a widening gap between your child and peers can all trigger the duty to evaluate.

You don't have to wait

Child Find is the school's responsibility, but you don't have to rely on the school noticing. As a parent, you can start the process yourself:

1. Put your concerns and your request for an evaluation in writing;
2. Describe what you're seeing — with specifics and examples;
3. Ask the team to consider whether an evaluation in all areas of suspected disability is needed;
4. Keep a dated copy of your request.

If the school delays or declines

If you've raised concerns and the school hasn't acted, that can be a Child Find issue. The school must either evaluate or give you Prior Written Notice explaining why it's declining — and you can challenge that decision. A "let's give it more time" response isn't a substitute for the school's legal duty to look when a disability is suspected.

A ready-to-send letter that formally requests a special education evaluation and starts the timeline. Just add your details. Enter your email and it's yours.

Dr. Long's Assistant answers your specific questions in plain language — built from Dr. Long's expertise, plus state and federal law read at the source — never the open internet.

Related questions

• What if my child is passing but still struggling?
• Does my child need a special education evaluation?
• How does my child's disability affect their education?

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