Sometimes, parents have concerns over their children's development. They wonder if their children are achieving the developmental milestones on time. Often parents feel unsure of what developmental milestones their children should be achieving and at what age they should achieve them by. Here are some common activities that your child should be able to perform during different stages of development:
Walking:
Crawls and pulls self up by 12 months
Walks unassisted by 18 months
Walks up steps by 24 months
Talking:
Coos and chuckles by 3 months
Imitates speech sounds by 6 months
Makes "Mama" & "Dada" sounds by 9 months
Uses 2 or 3 words together by 24 months
Behavior:
Smiles at familiar faces by 3 months
Waves bye-bye by 12 months
Helps in house and follows directions by 18 months
Enjoys playing with other children by 24 months
Children don't always develop on the exact same schedule, but if you have concerns about your child's development, it cannot hurt to speak with your child’s doctor about your concerns. You can also call the early intervention office in your area (contact numbers below) to have an evaluation performed.
Early Intervention
Early Intervention is a federal program that is administered in New Jersey by the Early Intervention Office in the Department of Health and Senior Services and is mandated by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Eligibility
Early Intervention services are provided for eligible children until the age of 3. In New Jersey, a child is considered eligible for services if he or she has at least a 33% delay in one and/or a 25% delay in two or more of the following developmental areas:
Physical, including gross or fine motor, vision, or hearing
Cognitive
Communication
Social or Emotional
Adaptive
Most children that are diagnosed with autism/PDD experience significant delays in many of these areas and therefore will most likely be determined to be eligible for early intervention services.
Accessing Early Intervention Services
A parent who is interested in accessing early intervention should contact their County Special Child Health Services Office (see below). A service coordinator will talk with families about their concerns and can offer referral information. If a developmental evaluation is needed, the service coordinator will work with the family to schedule a multi-disciplinary evaluation of their child's developmental levels and needs. Evaluation and assessment services are provided at public expense with no cost to parents.
On September 8, 2001, the Initial Uniform Application Act took effect. It requires that an individual with a developmental disability, who may be eligible for services through the Early Intervention Office, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, or the Department of Special Education, make an initial uniform application for the determination of eligibility with the department responsible for providing the services being requested at the time of application.
This initial application will be accepted and used by all departments, as authorized by the applicant's consent, for each subsequent request for services.
Eligibility for services in one department does not guarantee eligibility for services from another department. With each service requested, the providing department may require additional information. The first agency contacted will forward applications to the other agencies if they have services of interest to a family. Families must contact each agency directly to request services.
Contact County Special Child Health Offices:
Atlantic County
(609) 645-7700, ext. 4256
Bergen County
(201) 634-2620
Burlington County
(609) 267-1950, ext. 42882
Camden County
(856) 374-6021
Cape May County
(609) 465-1202
Cumberland County
(856) 453-2154
Essex County
(973) 621-4816
Gloucester County
(856) 262-4158
Hudson County
(201) 915-2514
Hunterdon County
(908) 788-6398
Mercer County
(732) 246-3461
Middlesex County
(732) 745-3153
Monmouth County
(732) 224-6950
Morris County
(973) 971-4155
Ocean County
(732) 341-9700, ext. 7602
Passaic County
(973) 523-6778
Salem County
(856) 935-7510, ext. 8479
Somerset County
(908) 725-2366
Sussex County
(973) 948-5400
Union County
(908) 889-0950
Warren County
(908) 689-6000
Click here to visit the New Jersey Early Intervention System web site.
Services
How Services are Determined
Following the evaluation and assessment process, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is written at a meeting with the family, the service coordinator, at least one member of the evaluation team and anyone else the family wishes to include. The IFSP is a written document that identifies services and supports needed for the child and family. It is based on information collected from the family, as well as from the evaluation and assessment.
In order for the child to receive services, the parent must consent to the plan. Parents have the right to withdraw consent at any time. Out of the services offered, parents can reject some services and accept others. The plan is reviewed every six months, or more frequently as appropriate to make sure it continues to meet the needs of the child and family. At least once a year, parents participate in a meeting to review their child's outcomes and IFSP services for any changes needed. The meeting must be held at a time and location that is agreeable to the family and in the language or method of communication that is used in their home.
Available Services
Children who are found eligible can receive the following services. These services are not mandated by law to be provided:
