IS MY CHILD DEVELOPING NORMALLY?
GETTING HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY

Is my child developing normally? Will my child grow and develop like other children? These are questions that parents of young children ask themselves each and every day. Some parents may be worried because their 18 month old child is not yet babbling or saying "dada" or "mama". Others may be concerned because their 10 month old child is not yet sitting independently or their 20 month old child is not yet walking independently. And others may be worried because their 28 month old is walking and talking but doesn't seem to be interacting well with other children and adults.

If you're a parent and continue to be concerned about your child's development, why not make a phone call and at least get some information to determine if your child needs help. Professional help is close within reach and easily accessible. What is important is that you seek assistance as early as possible since research has shown that the first three years of a child's life are crucial in promoting normal development.

In New York State, each municipality has a state-funded program called an Early Intervention Program through which evaluative services and/or therapeutic services can be provided to eligible children from birth to age 3 and their families. Any parent/guardian of a child with a suspected developmental problem can access this program for information and to determine if their child's overall development should be evaluated. Eligibility for this program is based on the child's needs and not on the family's income. All children from birth to age 3 can be screened and/or evaluated through this program if a problem in any area of development is suspected.

During an evaluation, all areas of your child's development will be assessed; these areas include cognitive, social-emotional, physical (including fine and gross motor development), communication and adaptive development. If your child is determined to have a delay in one or more areas of development, your child may be eligible for services if the amount of delay meets the established criteria. An approved provider of Early Intervention Services such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, and/or special education teacher (to name a few) will then be able to work with your child to address his area(s) of deficit. The program is funded by the State and the County; therefore, therapeutic services are provided at no cost to families.

For more information, you may contact a New York State approved evaluator such as Sound Therapeutics at (631) 821-7337 or you may call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Bureau of Services for Children with Disabilities at (631) 853-3100 directly. Getting help for your child early is just a phone call away. Please call.