Understanding Early Intervention. Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. It focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as: physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking) cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems) communication (talking, listening, understanding) social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy) self-help (eating, dressing) You can read more about the basics of early intervention at the CDC's early intervention page. Know Your Rights. As a parent, you have the right to request an evaluation if you think your child may have a developmental delay or disability. This is true even if your child's doctor hasn't identified a problem. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you have the right to: A timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation of your child at no cost to you If eligible, a written Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) listing the early intervention services your child and family will receive Meetings with early intervention providers to plan, review, and evaluate services Refuse evaluations, assessments, and services Learn more about your rights in early intervention at The Center for Parent Information and Resources. Requesting an Evaluation. If you're concerned about your child's development, don't wait. You or your child's doctor can request an evaluation at any time. To request an evaluation, contact your state's early intervention program. You can find the contact information for your state at...

Early intervention supports infants and toddlers with developmental delays through evaluations, IFSPs, and parental involvement.

Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs in the Early Intervention System

Understanding Early Intervention. Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. It focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as:  physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking) cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems) communication (talking, listening, understanding) social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy) self-help (eating, dressing)  You can read more about the basics of early intervention at the CDC's early intervention page. Know Your Rights. As a parent, you have the right to request an evaluation if you think your child may have a developmental delay or disability. This is true even if your child's doctor hasn't identified a problem. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you have the right to:  A timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation of your child at no cost to you If eligible, a written Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) listing the early intervention services your child and family will receive Meetings with early intervention providers to plan, review, and evaluate services Refuse evaluations, assessments, and services  Learn more about your rights in early intervention at The Center for Parent Information and Resources. Requesting an Evaluation. If you're concerned about your child's development, don't wait. You or your child's doctor can request an evaluation at any time. To request an evaluation, contact your state's early intervention program. You can find the contact information for your state at...

The following is an Interview with Dr. Esther Hess regarding her upcoming research study and understanding the feelings of the neurotypical siblings of children impacted by autism. Editor: Dr. Hess, I understand that you are conducting a research study to better understand the feelings of neurotypical brothers and sisters who have siblings impacted by autism. Dr. Hess: Yes, I am currently collaborating on this project with my colleague, Dr. Ted Hutman, a research specialist in autism at UCLA. Editor: What stage of the study are you currently in? Dr. Hess: We are currently looking for neurotypical children ages 5-13 years, who have brothers or sisters that are impacted either by autism or Down syndrome. Editor: What interests you in this subject? Dr. Hess: Both Dr. Hutman and myself are developmental psychologists. I also am the executive director of a multidisciplinary treatment facility in West Los Angeles, Center for the Developing Mind. The Center specializes in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children impacted by developmental/regulatory disorders like autism. After working many years, with hundreds of children impacted by developmental delays, I have become a strong advocate for the need to treat whole families, because children on the spectrum do not live alone. Despite numerous studies on children with autism, there have been relatively few studies that have looked at the impact of this disorder on the neurotypically developing brothers and sisters. Editor: Dr. Hess, what do you imagine...

UCLA study seeks siblings (ages 5-13) of children with autism/Down syndrome to explore emotional impact and family dynamics.

UCLA Research Study Seeking Participants

 The following is an Interview with Dr. Esther Hess regarding her upcoming research study and understanding the feelings of the neurotypical siblings of children impacted by autism.   Editor: Dr. Hess, I understand that you are conducting a research study to better understand the feelings of neurotypical brothers and sisters who have siblings impacted by autism.  Dr. Hess: Yes, I am currently collaborating on this project with my colleague, Dr. Ted Hutman, a research specialist in autism at UCLA.   Editor: What stage of the study are you currently in?   Dr. Hess: We are currently looking for neurotypical children ages 5-13 years, who have brothers or sisters that are impacted either by autism or Down syndrome.  Editor: What interests you in this subject?   Dr. Hess: Both Dr. Hutman and myself are developmental psychologists. I also am the executive director of a multidisciplinary treatment facility in West Los Angeles, Center for the Developing Mind. The Center specializes in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children impacted by developmental/regulatory disorders like autism. After working many years, with hundreds of children impacted by developmental delays, I have become a strong advocate for the need to treat whole families, because children on the spectrum do not live alone. Despite numerous studies on children with autism, there have been relatively few studies that have looked at the impact of this disorder on the neurotypically developing brothers and sisters.  Editor: Dr. Hess, what do you imagine...

Dear Developmental Doc, We have a 10-year-old son who is on Resperidal and Zoloft who is having really severe behaviors in school and at home when ANY type of demand is put on him. He hits, scratches, spits, kicks, etc. Any suggestions for us to control his behavior? We are really worried about his physical abuse as he gets older and stronger! Thanks, Dawn R. Dear Dawn, Resperidal and Zoloft are two kinds of psychotropic medications given traditionally to stabilize mood and reduce anxiety. Although you don't mention the disorder for which your son is being medicated for, my first thought is, if you are still seeing aggressive behavior in your child to such a degree, then I would immediately contact the medical doctor who is prescribing these drugs and share your concerns. It may be that these are not the right category of medication and/or the dosage might be off, given his weight, size and how close he is to puberty. Additionally, for most psychiatric conditions, medication alone is not the exclusive answer in helping the individual control worrisome behaviors. Behavior interventions that work in concert with medicinal therapy are often suggested to reduce aggression and impulsivity and increase self-awareness and control. At Center for the Developing Mind, the multidisciplinary facility that I run in West Los Angeles for children and adolescents with developmental and/or regulatory disorders, I personally prescribe to a developmental/relational therapeutic intervention...

Dawn R. worries about her son's aggression on meds; expert suggests consulting their doctor and behavior intervention.

Ask the Developmental Doc: Psychotropic Medication

  Dear Developmental Doc,     We have a 10-year-old son who is on Resperidal and Zoloft who is having really severe behaviors in school and at home when ANY type of demand is put on him. He hits, scratches, spits, kicks, etc. Any suggestions for us to control his behavior? We are really worried about his physical abuse as he gets older and stronger! Thanks, Dawn R.    Dear Dawn,   Resperidal and Zoloft are two kinds of psychotropic medications given traditionally to stabilize mood and reduce anxiety. Although you don't mention the disorder for which your son is being medicated for, my first thought is, if you are still seeing aggressive behavior in your child to such a degree, then I would immediately contact the medical doctor who is prescribing these drugs and share your concerns. It may be that these are not the right category of medication and/or the dosage might be off, given his weight, size and how close he is to puberty. Additionally, for most psychiatric conditions, medication alone is not the exclusive answer in helping the individual control worrisome behaviors. Behavior interventions that work in concert with medicinal therapy are often suggested to reduce aggression and impulsivity and increase self-awareness and control.    At Center for the Developing Mind, the multidisciplinary facility that I run in West Los Angeles for children and adolescents with developmental and/or regulatory disorders, I personally prescribe to a developmental/relational therapeutic intervention...

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Special Needs
Articles

Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs in the Early Intervention System

UCLA Research Study Seeking Participants

Ask the Developmental Doc: Psychotropic Medication

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs in the Early Intervention System

UCLA Research Study Seeking Participants

Ask the Developmental Doc: Psychotropic Medication

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles