Resources from Kim Williams, M.S., CCC-SLP

Did you know that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month? The US has recognized this national holiday as a way to bring understanding, encouragement, and opportunities to people living with developmental disabilities.

•  According to the Centers on Disease Control and Prevention, developmental disabilities are “a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.” These disabilities cut across racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic lines and can affect anyone. Recent estimates in the United States show that about one in six of children from 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities, such as hearing loss, ADHD, or vision impairment. 

• Social Emotional Development Delays “Healthy social and emotional development refers to an infant’s capacity to experience, manage, and express a full range of positive and negative emotions; develop close, satisfying relationships with others; and actively explore environments and learn. All this takes place in the context of family, community, and culture. The area of practice that focuses on social and emotional development in the early years is often referred to as ‘infant mental health’ or ‘early childhood mental health’. The practice of infant mental health includes promoting healthy social and emotional development, preventing disorders, and intervening where infant mental health disorders exist (ZERO TO THREE, 2009).’’ 

• Social and Emotional Well-Being of Children and Youth with Disabilities:"To insure the social-emotional well-being of children and youth with disabilities, and reduce their risk of negative outcomes, we must continue to develop initiatives that link people, environments, and prevention practices. Efforts must be based on respect for others and an appreciation of diversity, engage high-risk youth, create social networks and capacities, and bring together those with and without disabilities in a way that gives each individual an opportunity to use his or her gifts and capacities. Working together, families, professionals, and children and youth themselves can create the context for healthy social-emotional development." 

• Parents and caregivers can use the CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early program to monitor children’s development and know when there might be a concern; the brief checklist of milestones provides a child development baseline. 

Resources: 

• Part C/Early Intervention IDEA Part C: Early Learning and Early Childhood - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This site has a video that explains Part C.

This system provides early identification of developmental delays/disabilities and services indicated (with strong emphasis on caregiver coaching and working in the natural environment) to babies/infants younger than 3.

•  Florida’s Diagnostic & Learning Resources System Home - FDLRS

Suncoast region FDLRS: Refer My Child - FDLRS Suncoast

Note: Children under 3 will be referred to their Part C provider (i.e. Early Steps) and children older will be evaluated through the school board. For children determined eligible, this process grants them an IEP which in turn includes a preschool placement and/or access to intervention services (funded through the district).

Looking Forward – April is National Autism Awareness Month

Building awareness doesn’t end on March 31st! At the beginning of April, we pass the torch to the Autism Society, as they lead the national awareness campaign for autism. They challenge you to #CelebrateDifferences in your community and get involved for NAAM, joining their mission to spread awareness, promote acceptance and ignite change!