Transition to Preschool Programs for Young Children With Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing easier transitions and placements of young children with disabilities into Part B preschool special education programs. The authors examined associations between children's referral age and the following factors: (a) level of functioning of the child, (b) educational level of the mother, and (c) source of the referral. They also sought to determine if these variables might assist in predicting placement on or before the child's 3rd birthday or placement after the child's 3rd birthday. Source of referral and child's level of functioning were significant factors in predicting age at referral and age at placement with source of referral carrying the heaviest weighting, especially for referrals from the Part C early intervention system.