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Initial Contact
Anyone can refer a child under the age of 3 to TOTS if there is a concern regarding a developmental delay.
An appointment for an intake-screening is made
with you and someone from your TOTS program. This meeting allows you
and your child to learn more about TOTS and talk about what your child
might need.
Eligibility
After contacting our program, you are assigned a services coordinator
who sets up the steps for a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation
and determines the child's program eligibility:
- Developmental Delay of 25% or more in one area of development
- Established Condition that has a high probability of causing a developmental delay such as vision or hearing loss, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, etc.
- At Risk due to medical or biological factors such as low birth weight or prematurity
- At Risk for Developmental Delays due to environmental conditions that could affect your child’s development
Evaluation
Evaluation is a way to see if a child is eligible for early
intervention services. The evaluation occurs only with written
permission and at no cost to the parent or guardian. The evaluation is
done with the parent, the child and early intervention professionals.
Following the evaluation, the parent and other members of the team talk
about what the child is doing and identify any concerns. If there are
areas of delay, the child may be eligible for early intervention
services.
Evaluation looks at these areas of development:
- Cognitive- ability to learn and how the child learns
- Physical- ability to move, see and hear
- Communication- ability to understand language and express needs
- Social or Emotional- ability to relate with others
- Adaptive Skills- ability to dress, eat and take care of self
Ongoing Services, Assessments and Support
Once a child is enrolled, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
will be developed and services will begin. The IFSP will list the
outcomes that you want to see achieved for your child and family as
well as the services to help meet those outcomes. If your child is not
eligible for FIT Services, the staff will refer you to other resources.
Assessments
are an ongoing collection of information that looks at the child's
strengths and needs. Assessments are used to make sure that the child
is getting the kind of help needed while the child is receiving
services.
TOTS supports your family in meeting your child’s developmental needs by providing ideas on how you can best help promote your
child’s development, and how to use their suggestions for intervention throughout the day.
R.A. McWilliam, a researcher and father of a child with a disability,
reminds us that “the child’s learning occurs between sessions.” There
are opportunities for your child to learn and
develop throughout the day, both when the service providers are with you and when they are not.
Program Exit
You must leave TOTS when your child turns 3 or when he or she is
developing appropriately for his or her age and is no longer eligible
for TOTS. Planning for transition should begin before age 2.
Your Family Service Coordinator will meet with you to plan transitional activities and discuss your options.