Ages Three Through Nine

Definition

A prekindergarten child with disability is a child who is three (3) through five (5) years of age and meets criteria for eligibility specified for intellectual disabilities in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03011, F.A.C.; speech impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03012, F.A.C.; language impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-6.030121, F.A.C.; deaf or hard of hearing in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03013, F.A.C.; visually impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03014, F.A.C.; orthopedically impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-6.030151, F.A.C.; other health impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-6.030152, F.A.C.; traumatic brain injury in accordance with Rule 6A-6.030153, F.A.C.; emotional or behavioral disabilities in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03016, F.A.C.; specific learning disabilities in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03018, F.A.C.; homebound or hospitalized in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03020, F.A.C.; dual sensory impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03022, F.A.C.; autism spectrum disorder in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03023, F.A.C.; or developmentally delayed in accordance with Rule 6A-6.03027, F.A.C.

Developmentally Delayed (DD): Ages Three through Nine Years

A child who is developmentally delayed is three (3) through years (9) years of age and is delayed in one (1) or more of the following areas:

1. Adaptive or self-help development,
2. Cognitive development,
3. Communication development,
4. Social or emotional development,
5. Physical development including fine, or gross, or perceptual motor.

This definition is found in State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.03027, F.A.C.

State Lead Contact

• LeNita Winkler

Florida Statutes and Rules

• 6A-6.03026, F.A.C., Eligibility Criteria for Prekindergarten Children with Disabilities
• 6A-6.03027, F.A.C., Special Programs for Children Three Through Nine Years Old who are Developmentally Delayed

Florida Department of Education Resources

• Child Find Video for Parents
• Florida Department of Education: Early Learning/Prekindergarten
• Florida’s Early Steps
• Early Steps Policy Handbook

Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Projects

• Prekindergarten Exceptional Student Education – Technical Assistance & Training System
• Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System-Child Find