What is Birth to Three?
Pediatrician’s will screen children using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) at the 9 month, 18 month and 36 month appointments. The ASQ will determine if there is a potential for a developmental delay in 5 different developmental domains (Communication, Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Personal Social and Problem Solving); if the pediatrician identifies a potential concern they may make a referral to the Birth to Three program in your area. Or if parents ever feel like their child may have a developmental delay, they can call their area’s Birth to Three provider to request an evaluation. Alternatively, parents can complete a free developmental screen through the Help Me Grow Kenosha website or through the Sparkler app (using code HMGK for Kenosha County).
But what is Birth to Three?
Birth to Three is a community program that provides and coordinates early intervention services for children (between the ages of Birth to Three) with developmental delays, and disabilities; helping children to improve early learning skills. If Birth to Three is recommended, a team of professionals will work with families to determine what services and/or supports are needed, while putting the needs of the family first. Services are provided in the family’s or child’s natural environment; be that at home, daycare, a park or wherever a family is comfortable.
Services can include:
-Service Coordination: Service coordinators schedule evaluations, help create the service plan, and connect you with what you need.
-Special Education: Special Education encompasses concepts that support their growth, learning, play, and social interactions. Tailored strategies are provided to enhance the child’s learning, skills, and overall development.
-Speech Therapy: Speech services encompass recognizing issues and discovering activities that can enhance muscle strength, enabling the child to produce clear speech sounds. Additionally, these services may assist the child in utilizing a speech device and refer them to medical or other professional services when needed.
-Physical Therapy: Physical Therapy helps children move, play, and participate in day-to-day activities. Physical therapy services also help reduce pain and prevent or minimize physical disabilities
-Occupational Therapy: These new skills will help them play, move, and interact with the world around them. These services help increase the child’s ability to take part in daily routines and activities at home, in the community, and other places your family spends time.
-Family training, counseling and home visits: Help your family understand the special needs of the child and enhance the child’s development.
-Social work services: Help find and connect you with community resources and services that can help you make the most of early intervention. These services are based on your family’s needs or interests. You might be connected with educational or financial resources, parenting supports, family counseling, or other local resources.
-Assistive technology and Related health services: Help the child increase, maintain, or improve skills. Examples include communications devices, ankle or foot orthotics, and gait trainers.
-Additional Services: Vision Services, Hearing Services, Transportation and Related Costs, Sign Language Services, Health Services, Nursing services, Nutrition Services, Psychological Services and Other Intervention Services
Most of the services that are provided by the Birth to Three program revolve around play based learning; fun activities that also help children learn. Parents are brought into the learning process; the team will coach you on what is developmentally appropriate and what parents can do to help their child to reach their developmental milestones. This allows Parents to continue to assist their children in boosting their skills after providers leave the home and when services have ended. Essentially, parents learn to become their child’s first and best teacher.
To learn more about Birth to Three and additional programming offered in Kenosha County please visit the Kenosha Achievement Center’s website.