Brooklyn speaks dozens of languages. Here is how families can make sure preschool special education respects the language and culture their child grows up in.

Walk through any Brooklyn playground and you will hear Spanish, Yiddish, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Urdu, Bengali, and more. For families of preschoolers with developmental delays, that diversity raises real questions. Will my child be evaluated in our language? Will the teacher understand our routines? Bilingual and culturally responsive SEIT services in Brooklyn are designed to answer those questions with care.

Start with your preferred language in the CPSE referral

When you refer your child to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), state your child's home language and the language you prefer for meetings and documents. That single step shapes everything that follows, from which evaluation site is chosen to whether an interpreter is arranged for your meetings.

Choose an evaluation site that can test in your home language

A child who is still learning English can look delayed when the real issue is language exposure. Evaluations conducted in the child's dominant language help separate a language difference from a language disorder. Ask evaluation sites directly whether they have bilingual evaluators for your language before you choose one.

When a bilingual SEIT may be indicated

If the evaluation shows your child learns best in a language other than English, the IEP team may recommend a bilingual special education teacher. A bilingual SEIT holds New York State special education certification along with a bilingual extension, and works with an approved agency. Bilingual providers can be in short supply, so ask the CPSE how they plan to fill the recommendation and what happens in the meantime.

Interpreters and translated documents

Families have the right to understand and take part in CPSE meetings. You can request an interpreter and ask for key documents, such as the IEP, in your preferred language. Ask for these in writing, before the meeting date, so there is time to arrange them.

What culturally responsive support looks like in 2026

  • Goals built on real routines: practicing words and skills during family meals, prayers, shopping trips, and bedtime.
  • Respect for calendars: planning around religious holidays and family observances.
  • Understanding community norms: learning how a family views independence, eye contact, play, and discipline before suggesting changes.
  • Keeping the home language strong: supporting English for school without asking families to give up the language of home.

A strong provider of SEIT services in Brooklyn treats the family as the expert on its own culture and builds strategies that fit naturally into everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will speaking two languages at home delay my child's speech?
Research on bilingual development shows that learning two languages does not cause speech or language delays. Children may mix languages at first, which is a normal part of bilingual growth.

How do I make sure my child is evaluated in our home language?
State your preferred language in the CPSE referral and ask each evaluation site whether it has bilingual evaluators. Put the request in writing and keep a copy.

Can my child's IEP call for a bilingual SEIT?
Yes. If the evaluations show your child needs instruction in their home language, the IEP can specify a bilingual special education teacher.

Can I have an interpreter at my CPSE meeting?
Yes. Ask the CPSE ahead of time to arrange an interpreter for your language so you can take full part in decisions about your child.