Early interventions help set children with developmental delays up for success at home and in the classroom. For many families, this often comes in the form of an assessment which leads to enrollment in a Birth to Three Program, such as the one offered by The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development.
If you think your child may be exhibiting signs of autism, the first step is to connect with the Westchester County Department of Health which can assist with coordinating an assessment. They will refer you to an evaluator who can help to determine the best resources to support your child. What are some of the signs of autism in young children, you ask? They may include communication delays – lack of babbling during the first year and single words by the time they reach 16-months-old – lack of interest, lack of attachment or regression in skills.
If the evaluator determines your child is exhibiting signs of autism and can benefit from early intervention services, they will connect you with a provider who can deliver physical therapy, occupational therapy and/or speech therapy, as needed. When your child ages our of early intervention/Birth to Three, a plan will be made to help them successfully transition into preschool.
The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development proudly runs 24 inclusionary preschool classrooms throughout Westchester County for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. When our students have opportunities to learn alongside their typically developing peers, everyone benefits.
If you think your child is showing signs of autism, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at 914.813.5094 to schedule an evaluation.
To learn more about our Children’s School for Early Development, please visit our contact page.
