Transition to Preschool Special Education: A Review of the Literature

Research Findings: Services to young children with disabilities and their families are provided through state and federal resources to those who meet eligibility requirements. This article reviews the literature that addresses the transition to preschool special education services occurring from the time a child reaches 2 years, 6 months, of age until the child's third birthday. Practice or Policy: We discuss the conceptual frameworks of transition, as well as the definition and requirements of transition, and factors affecting a smooth transition for young children and their families. We also present literature on transition practices such as technical assistance and collaboration, parent and family experiences, program quality, assistance for children and families, and policy considerations, as well as implications and recommendations for future research.