Developmental delays surge in Oregon kids, and educators say that should mean increased services for them

The number of young children identified as having developmental delays has risen in Oregon, led mainly by a huge one-year surge in Multnomah County, the state reported Wednesday.
That's cause for celebration among special education leaders, who say many toddlers and preschoolers in need of help were missed in the past. Reaching those children and their families earlier with specialized help will pay off with big gains in their communication, social and motor skills, educators say.
An effort is underway, launched at the request of state budget co-chair Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, to update the way Oregon funds early special education services and to spend more money on it. The federal government mandates that Oregon serve students with disabilities from birth to age 5, but pays only about 20 percent of the $70 million annual cost.