Preschool Special Education

Start Strong with Preschool Special Education

We work closely with the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to appropriately assess the developmental and educational needs of preschoolers (ages 3-5). For eligible children, services are arranged in a variety of settings to best suit the child’s needs, including home, daycare, and preschool environments.

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oOccupational Therapists: OTs support children to develop critical motor-coordination skills, such as hand strength and grasp development, fine motor coordination, visual motor integration, social-emotional wellbeing, classroom modifications, sensory processing, social participation, executive function skills, and self-help skills.
oSpeech-Language Pathologists: SLPs in a school-based setting encourage a child's communication development through therapy that focuses on improving articulation, expressive and receptive language, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, social engagement, fluency, and grammar.
oPhysical Therapists: PTs engage with children in therapy that focuses to support overall physical function through gross motor coordination, core strength and postural endurance, alternative positioning and classroom modifications, body awareness, motor planning.

oBoard Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs): BCBAs are specifically trained and certified to perform behavioral interventions. A BCBA is the primary clinician involved in your child’s plan. They create the treatment plan and goals for therapy and oversee the performance of the Behavior Technician.
o‍Behavior Technicians: Behavior Technicians work 1:1 with a child under the direction of the BCBA. They will spend a lot of time with your child, building trust and understanding how to keep them motivated. As treatment begins, the Behavior Technician will implement the BCBA’s plan and record information on successes or failures.
oClient Advocates: Client Advocates are trained to support you in obtaining coverage and the necessary paperwork. They ensure everything is taken care of behind the scenes and coordinate insurance authorizations, scheduling, staffing, and case coordination.
oAdditional Clinical: These services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, your child's Primary Care Physician, or the staff at your child's school.
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oOccupational Therapist (OT): OTs support fine motor skills (feeding, grasping) that require smaller muscle groups, self-help, and sensory development. Additionally, OTs work to support your family's daily routines and activities allowing you to accommodate your child's unique needs.
oPhysical Therapist (PT): PTs support the development of gross-motor skills such as walking and crawling that require larger muscle groups. Additionally, PTs work to support your family's daily routines and activities allowing you to accommodate your child's unique needs.
oSpeech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): SLPs work to promote your child's language and communication development, and can help you to adapt your child's feeding routines to promote their nutritional needs.
oService Coordinator: Service Coordinators have extensive knowledge of the Early Intervention system, and will help to organize your child's care team. These professionals help to support your family through the intake, evaluation, and Independent Family Service Plan (IFSP) processes. They can also help to support your child through their transition out of Early Intervention services when they are ready.
oFamily: No Early Intervention team would be complete without the support of family members. Families are crucial to drive success during a child's Early Intervention program. As a family member, you are the expert on your culture, practices, and everyday routines. This information is necessary to work to develop a unique plan to best support your child's development.

No two Early Intervention teams are the same, and extended family may be encouraged to participate to best support the desired outcomes for your child.

Metro Therapy, Inc. is regulated by the New York State Department of Health, NYS DOH Early Intervention Program, and the New York State Education Department. Funding for children’s services is provided through local municipalities and state government agencies for eligible children. There are no out of pocket costs to families.