Your child doesn’t have to be failing for you to make a referral for special education. Other reasons to make a referral include discipline issues, poor performance on group achievement tests or screenings, anxiety about school, difficulty getting along with others, or a diagnosis of a disability. For preschool aged children, a parent may want to consider making a referral if their child has been asked to leave their preschool or childcare.

If a parent suspects their child has a disability and needs special education, they may make a referral to the school or LEA (local education agency, which is another term for the “school district”). In NH, anyone, a teacher, doctor, or therapist may make a referral. If the referral comes from someone other than a parent, including from the child’s teacher, the parent must be immediately notified.

How do I make a referral?

PIC always suggest that parents make referrals in writing (which includes email). The referral should include the date, your child’s name and the reasons why you suspect they may have a disability that requires special education.

You can send the referral to your child’s classroom teacher, school principal or special education coordinator, the district’s special education director. Make sure you keep a copy of the letter or email.

PIC has a Sample Referral Letter you can use to write your referral.

Next Step => What happens after a referral is made?