Pike County Special Education

The Special Education department serves students ages 3-21 years considered to have a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Students being served must meet the eligibility criteria in any of the following areas: autism, deaf/blind, emotional and behavioral disorder, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, orthopedic, other health impairment, severe emotional and behavioral disorder, specific learning disability, significant development delay, speech/language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment.  Pike County’s students with disabilities are provided specialized instruction and related services. Teachers and paraprofessionals work collaboratively with school staff and parents to assure that students with disabilities are provided appropriate learning experiences and opportunities.

Child Find

What is Child Find?

The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate, and evaluate children and youth, birth to age 21, who are suspected of, or have a disability or developmental delay. Pike County Schools serve children ages 3 through 21 with identified special education needs.

How can children be referred?

A referral may be made by anyone who has a concern about a child’s development. All referrals are considered confidential. The parent retains the right to refuse services. Children may be referred by any of the following:

• Parents/legal guardians/foster parents
• Physicians/health care providers
• Preschool programs
• School system personnel
• Community agencies
• Private school personnel

When should a child be referred to Child Find?

A child should be referred when:

• A health or medical disorder interferes with development or learning.
• A child seems to have difficulty seeing or hearing.
• A child appears to have social, emotional or behavioral difficulties that affect his/her ability to learn.
• A child has diagnosed progressive or degenerative condition that will eventually impair or impede the child’s ability to learn.
• A child seems to have difficulty understanding directions like others that are his/her age.
• A child’s speech is not understandable to family or friends.
• A child has difficulty with reading, math, or other school subjects.

Annual Child Find and Proportionate Share Meeting

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that local school systems locate and provide consultation to parents of students who have a disability or parents who suspect their child may have a disability, who attend parentally placed private schools (in the local school system’s district) or who are home schooled (and reside in Pike County). This consultation is also to be provided to administrators of any private school located in Pike County. Therefore, the Pike County School System is hosting a “Child Find” meeting on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM. The meeting will take place at the Pike County Board of Education Office, which is located at 7454 HWY 19 South Zebulon, GA. The Director of Special Education will be there to provide information on special education services, evaluation procedures, and proportionate share. For more information call Jessica Thomka at 770-567-8489.