Developmental Concerns

Autism

1. Learn about Autism Video Library - excellent!
2. 100 Day Kit - a comprehensive guide for parents of a suspected autistic child
   1. About Autism, Diagnosis, Causes and Symptoms
   2. You, Your Family and Autism
   3. Getting Your Child Services
   4. How is Autism Treated?
   5. Making It Happen
   6. 10 Things Your Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
   7. A Week by Week Plan for the Next 100 Days
   8. Useful Forms
   9. Glossary and Resources
   10. Families whose children have been diagnosed in the last 6 months may request a complimentary hard copy of the 100 Day Kit by calling 888-AUTISM2 (888-288-4762) and speaking with an Autism Response Team Coordinator.

Speech and Language Development and Associated Disorders

1. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is an excellent resource for understanding the Developmental Norms for Speech and Language broken down by age.
2. Speech and Language Delays
3. Speech and Articulation Development Chart
4. Child Language Development Chart
5. Apraxia
6. Stuttering
   1. 7 Tips for Talking with a Child Who Stutters
   2. Myths About Stuttering
   3. The Stuttering Foundation

Understanding Special Education and Your Rights

1. Video: A Crash Course on Special Education
2. Parent's Rights Video
3. How to Get Special Education Services for your Child
   1. Understanding Special Education
   2. The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans
   3. At a Glance: Your Rights in a 504 Plan Process
   4. 7 Tips for Developing a Good 504 Plan
   5. 12 Steps to Smarter School Accommodations
4. GaDoe (Georgia Department of Education) Fact Sheets
   1. Evaluations to Determine if a Child is Eligible for Special Education (Initial Evaluations)
   2. Your Rights as Parents - Regarding Special Education
   3. Due Process
   4. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
   5. Discipline
   6. Functional Behavior Assessments & Behavior Intervention Plans
   7. Assistive Technology
      1. Georgia Project for Assistive Technology - www.gpat.org
      2. Center on Technology and Disability - www.ctdinstitute.org
   8. Formal Complaints
5. Parent to Parent of Georgia: resource guide for Georgia parents

Navigating Available Resources

1. Babies Can't Wait
   1. What is Babies Can't Wait?
      1. Provides a coordinated, comprehensive and integrated system of services for infants and toddlers with special needs, birth to 3 and their families.
      2. Provides early identification and screening of children with developmental delays and chronic health conditions.
      3. Improves the developmental potential of infants and toddlers birth to age 3, with developmental or chronic health conditions.
   2. Who is Eligible? - BCW serves Georgia children from birth up to their third birthday, regardless of income, who meet one of the following criteria:
      1. Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition which is known to result in a developmental delay, such as blindness, Down syndrome, or Spina Bifida.
      2. Have a diagnosed developmental delay confirmed by a qualified team of professionals.
   3. For complete details on eligibility, services provided, and how to apply, go to Babies Can't Wait.
2. What happens when children turn three years old? As each child reaches his or her third birthday, the family's service coordinator would assist them in identifying resources and applying for services. Resources may include:
   1. Transitioning from Babies Can't Wait - "Steps For Success"
   2. Georgia Department of Education Division for Exceptional Students - offers special education services for children ages 3-21 in Georgia
   3. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning - Offers Head Start, Child Care and Pre-K services as administered by Bright from the Start
3. Where can Parents and Families get more information?
   1. Parent to Parent of Georgia
   2. Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership
   3. PACER Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities
   4. Family Voices - provides excellent resources on disabilities, education, medical care, and parenting
   5. Foundation for Medically Fragile Children - Resources and funding to help meet the unmet health care needs of medically fragile children