How can I incorporate developmental monitoring into my program?
What is Developmental Monitoring?
Developmental monitoring is a process of observing and tracking how a child grows and changes over time – across all domains of development. Developmental monitoring works best when it’s done as a partnership between families and the professionals that serve them. Act Early Oklahoma’s mission is to facilitate and support this process, so that all children can grow and thrive.
Promote the 4 steps of Early Identification and identify barriers and opportunities.
Four Steps of Early Identification
- Family-engaged developmental monitoring.
- General developmental screening and/or autism.
- Referral to early intervention.
- Receipt of early intervention services for children birth to 5.
If you are a teacher, healthcare provider or other early childhood provider and you have concerns about a child’s development, we’d love to talk with you more about how you can integrate developmental monitoring and screening into your services.
What developmental resources can I share with my families?
Share developmental monitoring tools with the family.
A great resource for obtaining free materials for monitoring a child’s development is the CDC’s developmental health promotion program called Learn the Signs. Act Early. On the CDC’s website you can find checklists for children ages 2 months-5 years. The milestone checklists are helpful to assist with starting a discussion about development. Most children (75%) will show these behaviors at the age indicated. The CDC Milestone’s are also accessible through a phone app.
The more specific you or a parent can be about what their concerns are, the easier it will be for a service provider to understand and help the family.
If you are interested in obtaining printed LTSAE materials, click here to place your order.
Assist the family to seek help.
There is a family section on this website that professionals can share with families. It provides specific suggestions for preparing to discuss concerns with their child’s physician or other service providers.
hool. Contact the special education services department at your local public school to request an evaluation.
Where should I refer families for developmental concerns?
For general developmental concerns start with Oklahoma’s public services available to any child that qualifies.
SoonerStart – Oklahoma’s Early Intervention Program for children Birth to 3. Anyone can make a referral for a child who is exhibiting developmental delays. You can call on behalf of the family or assist the family to call Soonerstart at 405-426-8550, or anyone can submit an online referral located on their website.
Public School for children 3 years to 21 years – Federal law entitles children who have qualifying developmental delays to receive special education and/or related services (speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy) through the public school. Contact the special education services department at your local public school to request an evaluation.