LANGUAGE:
A PROJECT OF:
Reading Concerns / Ages 0 - 4
RESOURCES FOR CONCERNED FAMILIES (AGES 0-4)
There are many pathways to approaching concerns in young children. The most important thing to remember is that you're not alone. Don't be afraid to reach out and talk to your child's doctor, teacher, or get support from other families who have similar concerns.
GENERAL CONCERNS
Have general questions about your child’s development, talking, ability to understand you, or behavior?
Get answers from Alameda County Help Me Grow or by phone at
1-888-510-1211.
Their coordinators speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish, and they offer interpretation for other languages.
CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS
Every staff member at Family Resource Navigators is also a parent or guardian of a child with developmental delays, disabilities or special health care needs.
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They offer support groups, guidance about services, help with paperwork playgroups and more.
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You can call their warmline and get support in 12 different languages.
“Services to young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays have been shown to positively impact outcomes across developmental domains, including health, language and communication, cognitive development, and social/emotional development.
Families benefit from early intervention by being able to better meet their children’s special needs from an early age and throughout their lives”
– The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
WHAT TO SAY WHEN ASKING FOR HELP
WITH THE DOCTOR:
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When you call your child’s doctor’s office, say, “I would like to make an appointment to see the doctor because I am concerned about my child’s development.”
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Be ready to share your specific concerns about your child when you call. If you wrote down notes about your concerns, keep them. Your notes will be helpful during your visit with the doctor.
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Ask the doctor for a developmental screening for your child.
WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER:
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When you call the regional center intervention services office (if your child is not yet 3 years old), say, “I am concerned about my child’s development and would like to request an evaluation. Can you help me or let me speak with someone who can?”
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Be ready to share your specific concerns about your child. You will also be asked for some general information about yourself and your child (your name, your child’s name and age, where you live, and more).
Write down who you speak to, the date, and what was said; you might need this information later.
WITH YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER:
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When you talk to your child's teacher or playgroup leader say, “I am concerned about my child’s development and would like to make an appointment to talk with you about their progress. Can you help me or connect with someone who can?”
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Be ready to share your specific concerns about your child. You will also be asked for some general information about yourself and your child (your name, your child’s name and age, where you live, and more).
Write down who you speak to, the date, and what was said; you might need this information later.
WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT:
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When you call the school district (if your child is 3 or older), say, “I am concerned about my child’s development and would like to talk with someone about having my child evaluated. Can you help me or let me speak with someone who can?”
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Be ready to share your specific concerns about your child. You will also be asked for some general information about yourself and your child (your name, your child’s name and age, where you live, and more).
Write down who you speak to, the date, and what was said; you might need this information later.
Tips come from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the OLC
GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS:
SCHEDULE A COMPREHENSIVE EYE AND EAR EXAM
THEIR STRENGTHS DEFINE THEM
KEEP READING: C0NTINUE TO BUILD THEIR READING SKILLS WITH PATIENCE
GET HELP SO0NER THAN LATER