Early Intervention and Education:
Coming home from the NICU can be scary. We were use to having a doctor or a nurse close by to ask questions. Once your home you have to begin to think about your baby’s developmental milestones. We have all been there. You have follow up appointments, schedules for medications and all the usual stuff that a parent has like feedings still every 2-4 hours, diaper changes etc...Here is what you will need to know about your babies early milestones.
I copied links that will help you get started and for later when your child reaches the preschool age. Early Intervention is your first step in making sure your baby is on track.
Florida’s program is now called “Early Steps” They will do an assessment of your baby.
This is a free program to help oversee your baby’s overall development. If your baby is lagging behind then you will need these services. The Early Steps program will bring an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist to your house to work with your baby.
You must as a parent be your baby’s “best” Advocate. Please speak up and seek out help if you notice developmental delays in your baby.
Any baby that has had or does have Retinopathy of Prematurity needs to be followed by and Ophthamologist. You need to keep a close watch on your infant following discharge from the NICU. Watch to see if your baby is tracking objects or you with his eyes, is he using both eyes equally? Keep watch until your follow up appointment and make sure that you write down things that you would like to ask your baby’s doctor.
Early Intervention is the best solution for your baby. You need to make sure that your giving your baby every opportunity to reach his milestones.
Even if you do not live in the state of florida, all states have state funded programs available most of which are called Early Intervention programs. You can contact your local state office or the internet to find your states contact information.
Birth to Three Years of Age
Florida’s Early Steps Program
Florida Bay Area Early Steps
Easter Seals (Florida Keys)
Miami Childrens Hospital Early Steps Program
Preschool-5 years (3-5)
This is the age where the school district then takes on the child’s therapy programs. They will be entered into a program that will meet your preschoolers needs.
Exceptional Student Education for Northwest Florida
(FDLERS)Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System
FAPE
Helping Parents and Advocates Improve
Educational Results for Children with Disabilities
http://www.fape.org/idea/
When your child enters the K-12 program there will be programs that will help assist his/her needs in their own school district.
The ROP Foundation
c.sturgeon@theropfoundation.com
www.theropfoundation.com
TEL: 305-562-3642
