Child Find

I think my child may have a disability: what now?

Are you concerned that your child may not be developing typically? Parents who suspect their child may have a disability should contact the Child Find program. Child Find is a district program to help determine if your child has a disability and help provide appropriate services.

Parents should contact Child Find if they:

  • Have questions about whether their child has a disability.
  • Are concerned about their infant, toddler, or preschooler's development.
  • Know their child has a disability and are looking for appropriate educational services.
  • Would like to know how to help their school age child succeed in school.

If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are currently staying for a screening.

If your student currently attends a private school within the boundaries of Lake Washington School District and you suspect your child has a disability, you can refer your student for Child Find through Lake Washington School District. We conduct referral meetings and evaluations for students attending private schools within Lake Washington boundaries, regardless of their home address. If this is the case for you and your student, please contact specialservices@lwsd.org.

Evaluations for infants and toddlers

Children are evaluated for a suspected disability differently depending on their age.

See the chart below to learn how to request an evaluation of your child.

Infants & toddlers (0-2 years old)

For our youngest learners, Lake Washington School District partners with Kindering Center in Bellevue and Wonderland Development Center in Shoreline. They offer evaluations for infants and toddlers, birth through two years old. This evaluation will help you to determine if your child is following a typical pattern of development. If appropriate, the Kindering Center or Wonderland Development Center will provide early intervention help for your child.

For assistance, or if you have questions:

Families living north of NE 116th Street may contact either Wonderland Developmental Center at 206-364-3777 or Kindering Center at 425-747-4004.

Families living south of NE 116th Street may contact Kindering Center at 425-747-4004.

Preschool age children (3-5 years old)

Developmental evaluations are provided by Lake Washington School District for children between the ages of three and five to identify possible delays in language, motor, cognitive or social-emotional development.

If you have questions or concerns about your preschooler's development, or to refer a child for evaluation, contact Child Find: Linda Pankow, Child Find Coordinator, 425-936-2846.

For more information about the preschool programs offered at LWSD, see the Preschool page on this site.

School age children (5-21 years old)

Lake Washington School District identifies children ages 5 through 21 who may have a disability. A parent, staff member or outside person may refer a student at their local school

To refer a student, contact the school psychologist at the child's local school or the LWSD Special Services department at 425-936-1201, specialservices@lwsd.org.

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