Brenner Introduces Bill Extending Age Range for Children With Developmental Delay
July 28, 2022
Andrew O. Brenner News
COLUMBUS—This week, State Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware) introduced legislation that would increase the maximum age at which a child may be diagnosed with a developmental delay.
Senate Bill 356 would bring Ohio in line with the age range found in Federal Code, bringing the age up from less than six to less than ten. Increasing the maximum age will allow schools to continue working with children with developmental delays once they are in elementary school without having to seek a separate, qualifying condition to receive special education funding.
"It is important that children receive the support necessary to progress and develop with their peers,” Brenner said. “By increasing the developmental delay eligibility age to nine years, student support professionals will be able to help young students in primary schools receive appropriate and individualized services they need to achieve their full potential."
A developmental delay is a special education eligibility condition assigned when children do not meet the expected milestones in physical, mental, or emotional development. This can manifest as difficulty in developing language or speech, motor skills, cognitive ability, or social skills. With the right interventions and supports in place, a child with a developmental delay can often make progress towards improving and eventually overcome the delay.
Senate Bill 356 would bring Ohio in line with the age range found in Federal Code, bringing the age up from less than six to less than ten. Increasing the maximum age will allow schools to continue working with children with developmental delays once they are in elementary school without having to seek a separate, qualifying condition to receive special education funding.
"It is important that children receive the support necessary to progress and develop with their peers,” Brenner said. “By increasing the developmental delay eligibility age to nine years, student support professionals will be able to help young students in primary schools receive appropriate and individualized services they need to achieve their full potential."
A developmental delay is a special education eligibility condition assigned when children do not meet the expected milestones in physical, mental, or emotional development. This can manifest as difficulty in developing language or speech, motor skills, cognitive ability, or social skills. With the right interventions and supports in place, a child with a developmental delay can often make progress towards improving and eventually overcome the delay.