A Guide to Early Intervention Services for Children with Developmental Concerns
Understanding Early Intervention Services for New Moms and Their Babies
This guide aims to help you understand these services, what they offer, and how you can access them if needed.
Early Intervention: Empowering Families
In the journey of parenting, ensuring that your child is thriving and reaching their developmental milestones can sometimes become a matter of concern. For many parents or caregivers, recognizing whether their child is growing and developing appropriately is crucial. From infancy to 36 months—often referred to as the early start age—there are resources and services designed to support children and their families.
Early Intervention Programs: What New Moms Need to Know
Parents, caregivers, and even childcare providers should be informed about programs funded by the federal government that offer significant support. These programs funnel resources down to the community level, ensuring local solutions for local needs. An initiative like "Be Moms Aware" works to enlighten caregivers about available options.
Early intervention is a crucial support system for children aged 0 to 36 months who exhibit developmental delays or are at risk for future challenges. By providing specialized services and resources, early intervention programs can help these young children reach their full potential.
Lisa L. Hooks, Staff Services Manager II, Regional Manager, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, provides valuable insight into SDD services.
Recognizing Reasons for Concern
It's essential to understand that recognizing concerns doesn’t automatically imply that your child has any developmental disabilities such as autism or intellectual developmental disorders. Instead, it is about questioning whether your child is on track for a typical development path. These stages range from birth to three years and are critical for early detection and intervention.
One of the most important steps in accessing early intervention services is recognizing potential developmental delays. While every child develops at their own pace, there are certain red flags that parents and caregivers should be aware of. These may include:
Delayed motor skills: Difficulty sitting, crawling, or walking
Communication challenges: Limited speech or babbling
Social and emotional issues: Difficulty interacting with others or expressing emotions
Cognitive delays: Problems understanding or following simple instructions
If you notice any of these signs in your child, it's important to consult with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist. They can help assess your child's development and determine if early intervention services are appropriate.
Exploring the Brochure: A Starter Tool for New Parents
The Reasons for Concern Brochure serves as a practical starting point for concerned parents or caregivers. It offers a straightforward way to communicate uncertainties with professionals, guiding you in what to look for. By following the questions or prompts given, you can easily highlight areas where your child might need additional attention.
Why Use This Brochure?
Simplified Communication: When discussing with doctors or early childhood professionals, parents may find it challenging to explain their concerns.
This brochure bridges that gap.
Highlighting Concerns: Providing checklists or cues ensures you don’t overlook potential development issues.
Understanding Developmental Variances Across Cultures
Cultural perceptions often influence how we view child growth. For instance, within diverse communities—be it Black, Asian, or Hispanic-Latino—there might be different interpretations of a child's behavior. What might be culturally accepted behavior could also unintentionally mask early signs of developmental delays.
“Children develop at different rates and in different ways. There are no two children who are alike.”
Cultural norms, such as children not making eye contact due to respect predicates, can sometimes obscure developmental signs that warrant attention.
Predictive Risk Factors: Identifying Early Warning Signs
How to Locate Your Center: The brochure provides a convenient link that directs users to an interactive map, making it easy to find services in your region.
“Some risk factors can preemptively signal the need for closer attention, even without formal evaluations. ”
Here are factors that could indicate potential concerns:
Teenage Parenthood: Young parenting may pose challenges that impact early child development.
Premature Births: Often linked with developmental complications.
Family History: Disabilities present in other family members might be a guide.
Environmental Influences: Exposure to harmful substances or conditions during pregnancy can have lasting effects.
When one or more of these factors are present, programs are available to monitor and support the child’s growth.
Family Resource Network Centers in California
For residents of California, the Family Resource Network Centers are crucial points of contact. Spanning up and down the state, these centers offer guidance and direct families towards Early Start Services and other beneficial resources.
Early Start Services
These are entitlement services available to any child from birth to three years old who meets certain criteria. They are not dependent on family income. Whether there is a confirmed diagnosis or significant risk of developmental delays, these services are there to provide necessary support.
Accessing Documents and Resources
All documents referenced in this discussion, including the brochure and links to networks, are accessible. These resources are designed to ensure parents and caregivers are well-equipped to provide the best possible care and intervention for their child's early development.
““We here in the state of California have a child that is between the ages of 0 months and 36 months. There is an established set of needs or concerns that qualify them.”
Taking the Next Steps
If your child is eligible for early intervention services, you'll work with a team of professionals to develop an individualized family service plan (IFSP). This plan outlines your child's unique needs and goals, as well as the specific services that will be provided.
Early intervention services may include:
Speech and language therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Special education
Family training and support
By working closely with your child's early intervention team, you can help them develop essential skills and prepare for future success.
Remember: Early intervention is a valuable resource that can make a significant difference in the lives of children with developmental disabilities. By recognizing potential concerns early on and seeking appropriate support, you can empower your child to reach their full potential.
If you have a concern about your child’s development, contact your local regional center.
Navigating the early years of a child's life can be daunting, especially for new moms concerned about their baby's development. However, by utilizing available resources and support systems, parents and caregivers can ensure positive growth trajectories for their children. Programs like Early Start Services and networks like the Family Resource Centers provide invaluable assistance, working tirelessly to empower families with the knowledge and tools they need.
Empower your journey as a new mom by being informed and proactive. Remember, early detection and intervention can make a substantial difference in the lives of our little ones.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lisa L. Hooks, Staff Services Manager II, Regional Manager, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, for providing invaluable insight into the services offered by the SDD. Her expertise sheds light on how these resources support families during the critical early years of their child’s development.
Additionally, we are incredibly grateful to Lisa for sharing a video and additional resources with Be Mom Aware. These tools are instrumental in equipping parents and caregivers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate their child’s developmental journey effectively.
We’re honored to share her expertise and the resources she’s provided with our community.
Lisa L. Hooks
Staff Services Manager II, Regional Manager
State Council on Developmental Disabilities
My name is Lisa Hooks, and I am a systems change advocate deeply committed to maternal mental health and community advocacy. With over three decades of experience supporting individuals who are dual diagnosis with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health, I bring a wealth of expertise from both the private and public sectors. My work spans behavior intervention, crisis management, case management, and care coordination, with professional experience in childcare centers, group homes, public health clinics, developmental centers, and justice-involved youth programs.
I am a proud mother of four and grandmother of three, including two grandchildren with Autism, which fuels my passion for fostering systemic change and inclusivity. My focus areas include transportation, housing, childcare, mental health, and the promotion of healthy relationships. My advocacy also extends to person-centered planning, disability awareness, enhancing personal communication skills, employment empowerment, and restorative justice. Additionally, I am actively involved in emergency preparedness and ensuring access and functional needs for all community members.
Committed to meeting people where they are, I strive to understand and address unique needs while creating accessible pathways to support. With a focus on empowering Black and African American women navigating maternal mental health challenges, I am eager to immerse myself in diverse communities, building meaningful connections and fostering open communication to create a supportive and inclusive environment that uplifts and inspires.
Lisa L. Hooks
Staff Services Manager II, Regional Manager
State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Sacramento Regional Office
Phone: (916) 263-7919
Fax: (916) 263-7969
