We know for all the joys that come with being a parent, there are challenges and questions we face as we do our best to care for our children. It’s a lot for every parent, but it can be particularly challenging if you have concerns about your child’s development. What do you look for and how do you know if you should be concerned? Then, if you have a concern, who do you talk to?
It’s estimated that 1 in every 6 children face a developmental delay, learning disorder, or behavioral or social-emotional problem. Of these kids, only about 20-30% are identified as needing help before school begins. My work is to help parents find access to the right resources and interventions for their children, as early as possible. The first few years in a child’s life are crucial and often it takes a team to help a child reach their full potential.
Right now, I’m working with a mom who has concerns about her 18-month-old. She took a questionnaire about her child’s development because she was worried about their speech. She was shocked when the results showed not only delays in speech but also in fine motor skills and problem solving. I’ve been able to help her understand the evaluations and screenings so she can talk to her pediatrician and feel confident in advocating for her child.
Even if Sunshine School doesn’t end up being her service provider, I want her to understand the options available to support her family and help her child succeed!
Kalisa is another mom I’ve worked with to get her daughter, Myka, enrolled in services at Sunshine School. She shared this about their journey:
“We know that having a child with special needs can be overwhelming at first, but early intervention is key and makes such a difference. Myka has progressed significantly since we arrived at Sunshine School. She is beginning to use words and signs to communicate, has medical equipment of her own to help aid her walking and standing, and is showing interest in self-feeding, just to name a few. We pray that you will find the Sunshine School to be as amazing a resource to your family as it has been for ours!”
Whether your child has a medical diagnosis, or you have a concern about a potential delay, it’s important to start by asking questions at their check-ups, no matter how small or silly it may sound. If you are looking for where to begin, we have a website with a list of links and suggested resources for how to keep track of milestones. You can visit nwaSunshineSchool.org/act to learn more about the importance of acting early. You don’t have to wait and see when it comes to your child’s health and growth. You can act early. There are so many tools to help you get Early Intervention and get your child on the right track and you don’t have to face it alone. You can always call or email me at 479.636.3190 or info@nwasunshineschool.org. I’d love to be on your team during your child’s crucial early years!
Act Early Contributed by:
Michele Hall, Services/Admissions Coordinator
Sunshine School & Development Center
Visit their site http://www.nwasunshineschool.org for more great info on joining their school and/or outpatient therapy services.
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