Hope is at Hand

If your child has been labeled with word like like difficult, picky, oversensitive, clumsy, or inattentive... there may be a new explanation - and new hope.

How often do you wonder - "Is it out of my hands?" "How can I help?"

Well, the answer is - There is hope!!! The earlier the better, but even adults can benefit from therapy.

First things first. Evaluate your child, jot down situations and characteristics you find "different". Take note of anything that concerns you. Sickness, hearing, walking, speaking, over/under reacting. Anything. Google them, talk to your child's doctor, their teacher, anyone you feel might have additional information for you.

Be an active parent. Get involved and don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember, there is no one that knows everything. Every child is different, every experience is different. You can read all the books in the world and they may never compare to what you are going through. In some way, we all understand. Even if it is just the frustration of it all.

Early Childhood Intervention

ECI assures that families with young children with developmental delays have the resources and support they need to reach their goals.

The Texas number for ECI is 1-800-628-5115. Call this number to be directed to a local advocacy.

Services can include:

• Assistive Technology: Services & Devices
• Audiology
• Developmental Services
• Early Identification, Screening & Assessment
• Family Counseling
• Family Education
• Medical Services (diagnostic or evaluation services used to determine eligibility)
• Nursing Services
• Nutrition Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Psychological Services
• Service Coordination
• Social Work Services
• Speech-Language Therapy
• Vision Services

What if a child is age 3 or older?

Services are available for children and young adults with a disability, ages 3 through 21, through your local school district. A referral for assessment may be made by contacting the director of special education for your local school district. The telephone number can be found in the white pages of the phone book.

Determining Eligibility

Income is not a factor in determining eligibility. ECI determines eligibility for children under age 3 based on:

Developmental delay

Children who are delayed in one or more of the following areas of development:

• Cognitive: difficulty with playing, learning and thinking
• Motor: gross, fine and oral
• Communication: limited understanding or responses in communicating with others
• Social-emotional: attachment problems, limited parent/family interactions or behavior concerns
• Self-help skills: feeding

Atypical development

Children who may perform within their appropriate age range on test instruments, but whose patterns of development are different from their peers.

• Atypical sensory-motor development: muscle tone, reflex or postural reaction responses, oral-motor skills and sensory integration
• Atypical language or cognition: state regulation, attention span, perseveration, information processing
• Atypical emotional or social patterns: social responsiveness, affective development, attachment patterns, and self-targeted behaviors

Medically diagnosed condition

Children who have a medically diagnosed condition with a high probability of developmental delay are automatically eligible for ECI services.

• Review list of medical diagnoses
• Children with auditory and/or vision concerns should be referred for eligibility determination.

Treatment helps the child process all the senses, so they can work together.