After School Programs
Many children receive most of their recreational experiences through these programs. Coaches can be wonderful mentors and for some families after school programs eliminate some daycare needs.

Audiologist
An audiologist provides intervention strategies and services for individuals with deafness or hearing impairments.

Classroom Teacher
Your child’s classroom teacher is the person who will spend the most time with your child and will know her best. A classroom teacher is a valuable resource for helping identify any educational, emotional or social issues the child may be having in school.

Early Intervention Services
Every state offers an early intervention program to help identify infants and toddlers (up to age three) who may have developmental delays or disabilities. An evaluation is completed to determine the child’s cognitive, physical/motor, speech, language, social, emotional and adaptive development. A physician or the local school district can direct families to those services.

Educational Advocate
An Educational Advisor or Advocate helps parents work with the child’s school. As an additional member of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) team, an Educational Advocate provides additional experience and expertise to get the best outcome for the child.

Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist is a licensed health professional who provides strategies and services to assist individuals with motor or sensorimotor functions, including fine motor manipulation, self-help, adaptive work skills, and play or leisure skills.

Physical Therapist
A physical therapist is a licensed health professional who works with individuals with motor or sensorimotor functioning in such areas as mobility and positioning.

School Counselor
A school counselor may assist in the identification of a child’s needs and may help to determine appropriate responses.

School Nurse
A school nurse provides medical care during the school day, monitors allergic reactions and may administer medication needed during school hours.

School Psychologist
A school psychologist assists in the identification of a child’s behavioral, social, emotional, educational and vocational needs and helps to determine appropriate responses.

School Social Worker
A school social worker is trained to assess a child’s educational needs including social, emotional, behavioral and adaptive needs. She provides intervention services including individual, group, parent and family counseling and serves as liaison between home, school and community.

Special Education Instructional Specialist
The special education instructional specialist provides ongoing support to special and general education instructional personnel. The specialist helps to identify and plan for the least restrictive environment appropriate for the child.

Speech-Language Pathologist
A speech-language pathologist provides intervention strategies and services related to speech and language development as well as disorders of language, voice, articulation and fluency.

Transportation Specialist
A transportation specialist works with the school district to provide special transportation and equipment for students with disabilities.

Tutoring Services
Many children can benefit from short or long-term use of a tutor. Families receiving federal (and some state) subsidies should look to the schools for help rather than Children and Family Services.

Every state offers an Early Intervention program to help identify infants and toddlers (children up to age three) that may have developmental delays or disabilities. This is mandated by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

A referral is made to a state agency by someone concerned about the child’s development. A referral can be made by a physician, hospital, educator, social service agency, or family member. Following a referral, an evaluation is completed to determine the child’s cognitive, physical/motor, speech, language, social, emotional, and adaptive development.

A service coordinator in a profession related to the child’s needs works with the family to identify appropriate intervention services and to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Services may include: family counseling; special instruction; vision, speech-language, or audiology services; physical or occupational therapy; health services; and assistive technology devices.

Early intervention services are available to eligible children and their families provided:

• Children are aged birth to 3
• Children have disabilities or developmental delays or have a high probability of having a developmental delay

Early intervention services must be affordable to all families. Some states charge a sliding scale fee based on parents’ ability to pay. However, no state can deny services to people who cannot pay. Third-party insurance coverage, with parent permission, as well as Medicaid funds may be used for additional funding.

Keep in mind that it takes time for your child to be evaluated, he may not qualify, and even if he does receive services, the amount of intervention provided may not be sufficient. Your child may also require medical services. These fall outside of what Early Intervention covers.

Children with special needs who are aged 3 to 21 can receive help in the public schools through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The school district conducts an evaluation to determine the child’s eligibility to receive services, and an IEP (Individual Education Plan) is developed for the eligible child.

If you are interested in having your child evaluated, contact his teacher, principal, or your local school district for more information.

See our class, Becoming Your Child’s Best Advocate for more on this topic.

Children’s emotions or behaviors are sometimes so difficult or out of the ordinary that parents feel they cannot cope on their own. If you think that your child needs professional assistance, don’t wait. It is better to get treatment sooner rather than later.

Most families seek outpatient therapy, which can be provided by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker. It is important to find a therapist who has experience with adoption issues. Ask for recommendations from other adoptive parents, pediatricians, adoption agencies, mental health associations, universities, hospitals, or medical schools. The cost of therapy varies and may be covered in part by health insurance or special needs subsidies. Some therapists, and most community mental health centers, provide services on a sliding fee scale based on income.

In rare cases a child may need more comprehensive intervention than outpatient therapy can provide. If a child is having severe emotional and behavioral issues, then residential treatment may be the most appropriate option. Residential treatment is not a short-term solution – the average child spends 18 months to two years in a treatment facility.

Please see our course Tough Starts: Treatment Matters for tips on how to choose a therapist.

Identity is a key component in the development of all children but is especially important for those who were adopted. Children adopted internationally need connections to their birth culture and many countries require that prospective adoptive parents pledge to keep that connection alive. Some judges in country may ask how you plan to encourage that cultural connection or even ask for proof that you have taken steps to learn about your child’s culture.

For more on the importance of identity, see our course Adopted: The Identity Project: Real People. Real Stories. Real Insights For Parents.