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Children with Disabilities Need a Head Start Too!

Northeastern University, Boston, USA M.Beauchesne{at}neu.edu

Andrea Barnes

Alliant International University, Alhambra, USA

Carol Patsdaughter

Barry University, Miami, USA

Recently, the US Head Start program has been expanded to Early Head Start, which targets pregnant women and children under 3 years. Head Start is mandated to enroll children with disabilities as at least 10 percent of their population, and such children comprise approximately 13 percent of the programs in Massachusetts. However, the majority of these children have speech and language problems; less than 1 percent are diagnosed with more severe or complex disorders. To further clarify service patterns, a mail survey was conducted with directors of Head Start programs in New England. Fifty surveys were completed and analyzed. The results are consistent with previous findings that Head Start is underused as a service for children with more than mild disabilities. Specific issues are discussed and recommendations made.

Key Words: childcare • children with learning disabilities • developmental disabilities • early intervention • learning disabilities

Journal of Learning Disabilities, Vol. 8, No. 1, 41-55 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1469004704041704


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