All new parents find themselves questioning if their child is developing at an optimal pace and in line with other infants their age. Questions like; “Why hasn’t she rolled over yet? or why isn’t he talking yet?” are very common in the first three years of a child’s life. Oftentimes a delay is identified at birth through the diagnosis of a specific condition, or a newborn may experience a delay as a result of significant prematurity, low birth weight, or surgery soon after birth. But what about after a month or a year? You have gotten to know your child and have a feeling about their development. With free screening services locally it may not be a bad idea to get all of your questions answered. Early Intervention services can help infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities to learn many key skills and catch up in their development. Early Intervention is quite common and during the first three years of life, it addresses identification and intervention around concerns with physical, communication, social-emotional, comprehension, and self-help skills. These could include, for example, mobility-related development, including reaching, rolling, crawling and walking; talking, listening and understanding; the ability to feel secure and happy and to play; and help with growth in areas of dressing and eating and problem-solving skills for the child.
“Children develop at different rates and it’s normal for parents and caregivers to wonder if their baby is meeting their milestones,” said Anne Davidson-Martinez, Las Cumbres Community Services Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program Director. “Early intervention works in partnership with families to build upon their child’s strengths and support their needs. Early intervention providers offer information, support and individualized services that best need the needs of babies, toddlers, and their families.”
In Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe Counties, free infant development screenings are available through Las Cumbres Community Services’ Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program. Las Cumbres’ FIT staff, comprised of Developmental Specialists, will help you coordinate and connect with other providers that will work with you as well as your young children. Family-directed services help family members understand the special needs of their child and how to enhance his or her development. Individual caregivers will assess, educate, and provide services for families with children identified as having a disability or delay. These collaborative caregivers can include nutritionists, speech therapists, physical therapists, and mental health counselors for the child and his or her family, as well as with other service providers.
If you observe something that concerns you or if you just have questions, self-referrals into the agency’s FIT Early Intervention program is always available. A referral can also be made through your child’s primary care provider or pediatrician. FIT program staff will find new family partners to assess and direct your child’s development and care. Services are free and available in Los Alamos as well as Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties through Las Cumbres Community Services.
Statewide, FIT programs provide a system of early intervention in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C. New Mexico’s FIT Program provides early intervention services to over 14,000 children age birth to three who have or who are at risk for developmental delay, and their families.
Additional information about assistance can be found on a variety of websites, including:
Developmental Checklist for Parents: https://nmhealth.org/publication/view/general/3553/
Additional Developmental Milestone Guides https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
For Information About Services Available in New Mexico https://nmhealth.org/about/ddsd/pgsv/fit/
For more information about Las Cumbres’ FIT EarIy Intervention programs or to determine how to enroll in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, or Santa Fe County services, please call 505.709.8645.