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Many times preschool teachers are the first to recognize behaviors that may indicate a need to explore professional services.


Serves are offered by Gaston County Schools(GCS) Exceptional Children Department free of charge for Gaston County residents. Children are eligible for theses services at age 3. Therapists from GCS and privately obtained therapists are welcomed to observe and work with children during our school day in our classrooms and out. 

Gaston County Schools Exceptional Children Department

A wide range of programs and services is provided for exceptional children with special needs ages three to 21 through Gaston County Schools. The primary purpose of the exceptional children program, which is one of the most outstanding in the state, is to ensure that children develop mentally, physically, socially and emotionally.


All students enrolled in exceptional children programs are screened, evaluated and placed according to state rules governing programs for exceptional children. An Individual Education Plan (IEP), which includes annual goals, instructional objectives and evaluation criteria, is prepared for each student. Parents participate in developing their child’s IEP and receive a copy of the completed document.


The school system offers the following exceptional children services as well as a variety of related services prescribed by each child’s IEP: Autism, Emotionally Disabled, Intellectually Disabled, Hearing Impaired, Specific Learning Disabled, Multi-Disabilities, Other Health Impaired, Orthopedically Impaired, Develop-mentally Delayed, Speech/Language Impaired, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visually Impaired and Deaf-Blind.


For more information, call the exceptional children department at (704) 866-6160.

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