Brownsville, TX (KRGV) — The Brownsville Independent School District says it is helping children with developmental delays start getting special education services as early as the age of 3 through a partnership with Region One.

Parents can refer their child to Region One's Early Childhood Intervention Program without a doctor's referral. About 90 days before a child in that program turns 3, the program can refer the child to Brownsville ISD with parental consent.

The district then starts an evaluation process that can include speech therapists, school psychologists, and other specialists. If a child qualifies, the district creates an individualized education plan based on the child's needs.

"It could be something as simple as just learning how to sit in a chair or just waiting their turn, so we're building on those so that when we have to do that educational component, they're ready," Brownsville ISD Lead Educational Diagnostician Esther Harding-Santillana said.

Brownsville ISD says its evaluations and special education services are free to families.

Parents do not have to be enrolled in the district to reach out with concerns about their child. The program can be reached at 956-548-8400.

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