Early Intervention 101

The first three years of life is a time of huge growth for children. They go from being tiny infants who can’t get around on their own or communicate their wants or needs (minus the crying!) to being amazing toddlers who can walk, run and express their thoughts and emotions.

Of course, these changes don’t happen overnight. There are different milestones along the way. If your child isn’t meeting those developmental markers as expected, your pediatrician or childcare provider may suggest taking a closer look. That’s where we come in! We are Service Coordinators for the Clinton County Health Department’s Early Intervention program. We work with children ages 0-3 years to see if they need any assistance meeting developmental milestones like crawling, talking, walking and learning. So how do I get started?

 

ü  Intake Meeting

·         When your child is referred to Early Intervention (EI), your family will be assigned to a Service Coordinator (SC) like me!

·         We will schedule an intake meeting which can be done over the phone or in person at your home. 

·         During this meeting, we will discuss any and all concerns and complete the initial paperwork (including a consent for evaluation).

·         Your child CAN’T be evaluated without your permission.

 

Intake meeting with Melissa Fuller, Children’s Service Program Specialist/EI Service Coordinator

ü  The Evaluation

·         Once you choose an evaluation agency, two highly trained professionals will evaluate your child.

§  They will set up a time to come to your home or a place that your child spends most of the day and is most comfortable. The team will also talk with you to get more information about medical history, any concerns, and what your child is or isn’t yet able to do at this time.

§  The evaluation team is trained in social/emotional, communication, cognitive, adaptive and physical development.

·         During the evaluation, they will use standardized tests and other methods (disguised in play J)  to discover more about your little one’s skills.

·         Once they are done playing (I mean evaluating) they will share with you how your child did in each tested area.

·         Those results will determine if your child is eligible for EI services.

ü  If your child is eligible for EI services

·         Our team (including your SC, the evaluators and most importantly YOU!) will create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). An IFSP is a written, legal document that explains the services that your child and family will receive.

§  It outlines when, where, and how those EI services will be delivered and is truly a map to guide you and the professionals working with you and your child.

·         This program is completely voluntary and family driven, so the services you agree to will start only once you sign the IFSP.

·         Your child’s team will review the IFSP twice a year to look at the progress your child has made and to help you decide whether any changes are needed.

·         Your SC will also check in with you monthly to see how services are going. You can call them any time with questions or concerns!

ü  What if my child is not eligible for EI services?

·         You can ask to have your child placed in the ‘At-Risk Program’. This means we will call you in a few months to check in on your child’s progress and potentially do a re-evaluation.

·         You can also take the tips/ideas that the evaluators give to you after the evaluation to use at home! J

If you think your child could benefit from these services, any parent/caregiver can make a direct referral by calling us at 518-565-4848 and asking for the Early Intervention Program. Not sure if your child is meeting their milestones? Click here. We also offer developmental screenings the last Monday afternoon of every month here at the Clinton County Health Department. All of our services are FREE of charge! So if you feel your child may be delayed, don’t hesitate, call us today!

 

Melissa Fuller

Children’s Service Program Specialist/EI Service Coordinator

Division of Health Care Services

 

April is Autism Awareness Month

Pam Lefebvre, RN

The goal of Autism awareness month is to educate as many people as possible about signs of Autism. Through my previous work in the Early Intervention Program, I know that early diagnosis combined with intensive therapy leads to the most promising outcomes.  Parents I worked with, noticed positive changes in their child’s development, and I personally witnessed the changes myself.  When Autism is diagnosed early, children and families can get the resources, training, and support they need to help them prepare for the future. 

What is Autism?Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that is often diagnosed in early childhood.  People with ASD communicate, learn, behave, and interact with their surroundings differently.  No two people with ASD are the same which can result in a misunderstanding of ASD.  Signs of ASD begin early in childhood and usually last throughout a person’s life. 

What causes ASD?We don’t know exactly what causes autism, but research indicates that a combination of genetics and environmental factors are contributing factors.

What are some signs of ASD in a child?

·        Delay or absence of words

·        Loss of words or skills they once had

·        Avoids eye contact and prefers to be alone

·        Not responsive to others’ facial expressions or feelings

·        May be interested in people, but doesn’t know how to talk, play, or relate to them

·        Unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound

·        Rejects being held cuddled, or might cuddle only when they want to

·        Does not point to objects to show interest

·        Repeats actions over and over again

·        Difficulty with changes in routine

What can I do if I think my child has ASD?Talk to your child’s doctor if you are concerned about the way your child plays, learns, speaks, or acts. If your child is under 3 years, contact us at Early Intervention Program at 565-4848 to make a referral for a developmental evaluation or schedule a free developmental screening.  For more information check out our website http://www.clintonhealth.org/specialneeds

For more detailed information about developmental milestones visit   https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/  

May is Month of the Young Child

In honor of Month of the Young Child, Clinton County Health Department would like to recognize all those who work with families of young children.

Do you have questions or concerns about a young child in your life? All children develop differently, but a great resource for typical expectations of development comes from the CDC. There you can find milestones for many different ages, as well as videos and more information about development.

CCHD Developmental Services holds monthly, free developmental screenings to find out if children 0-3 years of age are on the right developmental path. Staff members work with parents and caregivers to work through a standardized screening tool. Children who may be at risk for a developmental delay are then referred to the Early Intervention program.