This story first appeared in the Nov. 8 edition of the Kansan.
Kids don’t come with an instruction book, but parents can find resources in the community that will let them know if their children are developmentally on track.
The Harvey County Early Childhood Special Education Program offers free screenings for parents of children ages 0 to 3 who might have concerns about their children’s development. They can be reached at (866) 284-6510.
The screenings are play based. A worker watches how a child interacts with their environment and others.
The screeners also will ask questions to determine if a child may need to be evaluated medically.
Chelie Nelson, assistant director of special education for the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative, said screeners try not to put labels on children at such an early age.
Homebased and centerbased services are offered for children who have cognitive deficits or physical disabilities.
Speech, occupational and physical therapy are available, as well as the services of a psychologist.
The goal of the program is to help children function as close to their peers as possible by the time they start kindergarten, Nelson said.
Every dollar that is invested in early childhood education is saved many times over in remedial education costs when the child is older, Nelson said.
“You get more return for your money there than in any other age group. The more early intervention you do, the potentially less of an impact and more opportunities children will have when they are young,” Nelson said.
All those seemingly strange questions your pediatrician asks you at your well child visits have similar screening purposes, said Dr. Gretchen Homan, pediatrician with Cottonwood Pediatrics in Newton.
Homan said a doctor will observe children at these visits and make assessments about children’s development.
“When they get to preschool, it’s more fun for us. We can interact with the children. We can see if they can stand on one foot and count to five,” she said.
Doctors also rely on parents reports of what they observe at home.
Homan said parents shouldn’t be too worried about developmental stages because there is a wide range of normal. She said she is looking for overall trends.
Homan suggested interacting with your child throughout the day.
“It is important to talk to infants and talk to babies. Explain what you are doing throughout the day,” she said. “Babies understand more than you realize. Read to babies. Let them look at cardboard books. Spend time with them. Pick them up and hold them. Spend time with them on the floor.”
