Disabilities & Mental Health

Disabilities

Mental Health

Head Start works with parents and community agencies to serve children regardless of disabilities.

For children entering with special needs:

	Therapies such as speech, occupational, and physical are available at centers.
	Specially trained teachers help classroom teachers plan activities and lessons for individual special needs.
	Head Start coordinates services with the local intermediate unit for special needs

All children are screened to determined strengths and needs.

With parent permission, speech and language levels are screened by a licensed speech therapist, and behavior and educational levels are screened by the classroom staff. If a delay is suspected, parents will be contacted for input and further testing may be recommended. Evaluations may take place at Head Start or at other agencies in the area. Head Start staff assists parents through all of these processes.

Head Start also has a Mental Health Consultant who is available to work with children, families, and staff to help identify and assist with mental health education.

Mental health issues may include:

	Family members in prison
	Grief and sorrow
	Divorce, separation, frequent moves, and other family changes
	Depression, stress, and anxiety
	Substance abuse

Mental health services may include:

	Mental health wellness trainings for staff, parents and children
	Consultation and observation by the Mental Health Consultant
	Coordination with Community Mental Health Resources as needed

All services are provided free of charge; click on the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page for more information.

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Examples of Disabilities:

Health Impairment

Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders

Speech/ Language Disorders

Mental Retardation

Hearing Impairment

Orthopedic Impairment

Visual Impairment

Learning Disabilities

Autism

Traumatic Brain Injury

Other Impairments

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion is the process of involving everyone in all activities regardless of special needs. Special needs can be seen in any developmental area including physical development, speech/ language development, social/ emotional development, self help/ adaptive development, or cognitive development. Delays in any of these areas qualify a student for inclusion. At Head Start, students are welcomed and integrated into our classrooms regardless of their strengths or weaknesses in any area.