Where to Turn
Early childhood development is, by nature, uneven. And for most
children, the inconsistency in early development will even out.
But, for some families, a pre-school or kindergarten teacher may
have concerns about a child’s academic development. In other
cases, parents have concerns about their child’s development
before he/she even enters school. Regardless of when or who shares
their concerns first, for children with learning disabilities,
early diagnosis and intervention is an important part of getting
your child the help he/she needs. This focus is early identification
and intervention of learning disabilities.
The links below may help connect you to other resources if you're
concerned about your child's development. There are many groups
locally and statewide that you can contact for information about
topics such as: Speech/Language and Hearing:
Ear Infections and Language Development
Read this outstanding article that discusses how frequent, recurring
ear infections can delay language development. Provided by the
US Department of Education in conjunction with the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, this article provides ways to recognize hearing
loss in your child; frequently asked questions about the partnership
between hearing and language; and developmental milestones for
children. Download the article here.
(PDF)
Have
concerns about your child’s hearing?
Our team tests
hearing function and status on children of all ages, including
babies. We offer services for children with hearing loss and their
families. Our staff are experts in hearing and speech disorders
of infants and young children. Find out more here.
Hearing Loss: Early Intervention Helps Kids Communicate
The auditory (hearing) system is mature at birth. Children with
normal hearing begin to learn language as soon as they are born
and are most receptive to learning language during the first
12 to18 months of life, before they are able to talk. Click
here to learn more.
For General Health Concerns:
Children's Resource Line
Experienced pediatric nurses staff Children's
Resource Line seven days a week. We offer information and support
on child health issues.
We mainly address development and parenting concerns. The
Children's Resource Line responds to over 22,000 calls per year.
Callers include parents, grandparents, daycare providers, teachers
and health professionals. Our nurses have access to a wealth of health education materials.
We can mail these to the caller. Learn more here or
call Toll-free: 1 (866) 987-2500.
Autism
UW Autism Center provides diagnostic evaluations and multi-disciplinary
intervention services for children with autism spectrum disorders
from infancy through adolescence, and a wide range of professional
training opportunities. Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art
clinical services, increase capacity for services through training,
and increase knowledge and awareness about autism in the professional
community and general public. Click
here for more information.
ADD/ADHD (Attention
Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder)
A basic overview
of this brain function disorder. View
in HTML or PDF.
Dyslexia
An introduction to learning disabilities in reading. View
in HTML or PDF.
Dyslexia: A Quick Look
A basic overview of learning disabilities
in reading, including a break down of warning signs by age group.
View
in HTML or PDF.
Other Resources:
New! Early Childhood Special Education Resources
This document lists state and national resources, disability-specific
information, publications and training. It was compiled by the
Early Childhood Inclusion Project. Click
here to access the document. (PDF)
Making the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ Work for Children
Who Struggle to Learn: A Parent’s Guide
Click here to read
this free publication from the National Center for Learning Disabilities
and Schwab Learning.
Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
At the Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities, you will find educational
consultants, psychologists, diagnosticians, health care specialists,
academic tutors, speech language therapists, advocates, and attorneys.
You will also find government programs, grassroots organizations,
special education schools, and parent support groups. Check out
the Yellow Pages here.
Washington State Resources
Each state sets eligibility ages for services to children and youth
with disabilities.
For current information concerning this state, please contact the
office listed under
STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: Special Education Services. Click
here for more information.
Referring
Infants and Toddlers for Early Intervention (PDF) |
