This handbook for parents and professionals describes Alabama's early intervention and preschool educational system for young children with disabilities. A list of common special education acronyms precedes the guide's four main sections. Section 1, on the state's early intervention system for infants and toddlers, includes the program's purposes and underlying principles, the definition of "infants and toddlers with disabilities," eligibility information, the areas of child development, and the four steps for identification or referral, evaluation and assessment, development of the Individualized Family Service Plan, and delivery of early intervention services. Section 2 addresses transition from early intervention to preschool special education including who is involved in transition activities, pre-transition activities and the eight steps of the transition process from referral through after-transition activities. Section 3, on preschool special education, considers who pays for special education services, the rights of children and parents, eligibility, and Alabama's definition of "developmental delay." The final section lists resources including local Alabama special education offices, early intervention system offices, toll free numbers of national organizations, and frequently called numbers of Alabama resources. Appended are a chart describing the Special Education Process Initial Referral through IEP Implementation and a chart comparing and contrasting Part C (Early Intervention) and Part B (Special Education). (DB)