Head Start Children at Risk: Relationship of Prenatal Drug Exposure to Identification of Special Needs and Subsequent Special Education Kindergarten Placement

Abstract

The relationship between prenatal drug exposure, emotional and behavioral disorder (E/BD) identification in Head Start, and subsequent special education kindergarten placement in a sample of 145 Head Start children was examined. Results showed that 47% of the drug-exposed group versus 35% of the non-drug-exposed group met classification criteria for E/BD. In addition, 53% of the drug-exposed group were placed into special education kindergarten programs versus 29% of the non-drug-exposed group. Previous research has suggested that identification of children with E/BD in Head Start, in itself, does not predict eventual special education placement. However, prenatal drug exposure of Head Start children was found to be an effective predictor of later special education placement in kindergarten. Examination of these issues is important considering the implementation of the IDEA Amendments of 1997, which mandate early intervention for children with disabilities.