The guide nobody gives you

Speech, OT, CPSE & IEPs

The NYC special services system is broken. Here's how to actually get your child what they need.

Start here: How old is your child?

NYC uses completely different systems depending on your child's age. Pick the right path:

Birth – 2 years
Early Intervention (EI)
NYS Dept of Health
Call 311 or your pediatrician
3 – 5 years (not yet in K)
CPSE
Committee on Preschool Special Education
Contact your district CPSE office
5+ (K and up)
CSE / IEP
Committee on Special Education
Request evaluation through your school
Most requested

CPSE: The process nobody explains well

If your child is 3-5 and you suspect a speech delay, sensory issues, or developmental concern — this is your path. It's free through the DOE but the process is confusing and slow.

1
You request an evaluation
Day 0
Write a letter to your district's CPSE office. Yes, a physical letter. The clock starts when they receive it.
2
CPSE assigns an evaluator
Within 20 school days
They have 20 school days to initiate the evaluation process. You can also request a specific agency.
3
Evaluations happen
Weeks 3–8 (varies wildly)
Your child is evaluated by specialists (speech, OT, psych, etc.). This can take weeks to schedule.
4
CPSE meeting (IEP meeting)
Within 60 school days of referral
You, the evaluators, and a CPSE rep meet to review findings and determine eligibility and services.
5
Services begin
Supposed to be immediate
If approved, your child starts receiving services. Finding providers with availability is often the hardest part.
Reality check: The official timeline is 60 school days. In practice, many families wait 4-6 months. The system is severely backlogged, especially in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Consider a private evaluation ($800–$2,000) to speed things up and have leverage at the CPSE meeting.

Common services and what they mean

Speech-Language Therapy
SETSS or Related Service
For articulation, expressive/receptive language delays, stuttering. Most common service for ages 2-5.
Typically 2x/week, 30 min sessions
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Related Service
For fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, handwriting. Often paired with speech.
Typically 1-2x/week, 30 min sessions
Physical Therapy (PT)
Related Service
For gross motor delays, balance, coordination, muscle tone issues.
Typically 1-2x/week, 30 min sessions
SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher)
Now called IEITS
A special ed teacher works 1:1 with your child in their current classroom/daycare. Highly valuable, hard to staff.
5-15 hours/week depending on IEP

DOE services vs. going private

Through DOE (free)
  • No cost to you
  • Long wait times (months)
  • Provider availability is a real problem
  • You don't choose your provider
  • Services may be in a group setting
Private pay / insurance
  • $150–$300/session out of pocket
  • Start within 1-2 weeks
  • You choose the provider
  • 1:1 sessions standard
  • Some insurance covers it (check plan)
  • Private eval gives leverage at CPSE

District-by-district CPSE contacts and private provider directories coming soon.

Find Your District →