Tools of the Trade

What did I play with today?

As a special instructor with Alabama's Early Intervention system my role as a developmental specialist takes me wherever children under three years of age with developmental delays are. This can include their homes, daycares, local libraries, playgrounds, or grandma's house. Today I worked with a child at a Mother's Day Out program. My instruction looks a lot like play but there is a lot going on. I provide instruction across all domains. I provide cognitive, social / emotional, motor (fine and gross), adaptive (daily living skills) and communication support. Functional play does not come easily to all children. Some children handle toys but do not actually interact appropriately with them. We see this a lot with children who are globally delayed (are delayed in all areas of development). A common example of this is some children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). They may show delays that cross all developmental domains. Play is a natural way to work with this age group. Child led naturalistic activities work well. I consider myself one the luckiest people in the world to be working with this group of children. Every state has an Early Intervention program. In Alabama we are lucky to have one that is free of charge for all services to eligible children. Some states charge for therapeutic services but their coordination services are free. Some states have a waiting list. Alabama does not. Each state is able to set their own eligibility criteria though. Here in Alabama a child has to have a delay in at least one developmental area equal to or greater than 25%. Or, if they have a qualifying diagnosis (Down syndrome, autism, hydrocephalus, etc) they automatically qualify for services. Some states have lower or higher qualifying criteria. There is a Child Find referral number in every state to start families on the road to early intervention. Here in Alabama it is 1-800-543-3098. I have a link on my side bar to Alabama's early intervention website. Everyone in the United States should have a local Child Find number to call. I haven't been able to locate a nation wide list but if you Google your state you should be able to find it. Some states combine services for children birth to age five while most separate services birth to age three with one organization and three years to 21 under the department of education. My job is a rewarding one that few people know exist. I only wish I could reach all the children that need services in my area.