Parents can contact the PET office directly. In addition physicians, community agencies, preschools, childcare programs who suspect that a child may have a disability can advise the parent to contact the PET office.

The Parent or Guardian will be asked to complete a developmental history about the child, and to share any significant information.Some examples are: medical conditions; birth history; language delay; speech intelligibility.

The PET team holds screenings weekly by appointment at the PET center. Screenings are completed in order to obtain a general sample of the child’s skills and to identify who may need a more comprehensive evaluation. Screening consist of functional hearing and vision evaluation.Botha brief pre-school and developmental skills assessment and a speech and language assessment. If the child passes all of the screening activities no further steps need to be taken at this time. If the child does not pass all of the screenings the parent or guardian meets with the PET team after the screening. Results are discussed and the parent is advised and given a copy of their procedural safeguards and written consent for the evaluation may be obtained.

A comprehensive assessment is administered in order to determine if the child has a developmental delay or a disability which would need assistance from the Exceptional Student Education program. The following may be included in the assessment:

• Developmental
• Speech/Language
• Psycho-educational
• Audiological
• Medical
• Visual
• Behavioral

Results of the evaluation are included in a report written by the team and the parent is asked to attend a meeting at the PET center.

The eligibility meeting is where the results of the evaluation are shared with the parent and the parent is given a copy of the report. If the child did not meet criteria for Exceptional Education Services no further steps need to be taken at this time.

If the child met criteria for a program the parent and other members of the school district may be present. For example; teacher, occupational therapist, speech pathologist etc. Then after being informed about the services offered makes the determination for their child. If the parent gives written permission for placement in a program an Individual Education Plan is designed for the child.