Ages Three Through Nine

Definition

A prekindergarten child with a disability is defined as a child who is below five (5) years of age on or before September 1 and has a sensory, physical, mental, or emotional condition which significantly affects the attainment of normal developmental milestones.

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 Statues 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

Bureau of Exceptional Student Education Projects

• Florida’s Technical Assistance and Training System (TATS)
• PreK Disabilities Tuition Support Program
• Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System-Child Find