Melanin Mass Moms is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization based in Massachusetts working to bridge the gap between community resources and health disparities for mothers of color as they navigate all stages of motherhood. Learn more at melaninmassmoms.com
Whether you’re a first-time mom or an experienced parent, keep reading to learn how to get support along with tips for early speech and language development.
In this post, we’ll go over:
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- Who to contact for help
- Free evaluation options by age
- Private options and insurance coverage
- Screenings, evaluations and services (specialties)
- Tips and strategies for early language
- Resources for further information
Introduction
Whether it’s learning to crawl or saying those first words, we want our children to learn and grow to their full potential. If you are worried about your child’s development – you are not alone! I’m a mom who has been there. I’m also a speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializing in early intervention and preschool.
When you notice that your little one is having difficulty in any area of development, it can feel scary and overwhelming, but there are resources available. Seeking support right away can help ensure your child gets what he or she needs to thrive!
Who do I contact for help (and do I need a referral?)
If you have a concern about your child’s learning or development in any area (language, movement, learning, etc.), the pediatrician is a good place to start. In order to receive specialized services, the first step is getting an evaluation.
The evaluation is when a specialist or team of specialists looks at your child’s development and skills to determine areas of strength and need. After the evaluation, the team goes over the results with you and determines what services and support could be beneficial for your child. (More information on evaluations, screenings, and services later!)
No referral is needed for public programs!
In the state of Massachusetts, you do not need a referral for a no-cost evaluation of your child. You can self–refer for an evaluation through the Department of Public Health (DPH) or the Department of Special Education. A prescription or insurance referral from a healthcare provider is not needed.
Who to contact for a no-cost evaluation by age
Early Intervention (Birth to 3yrs)
Contact the Massachusetts Early Intervention (EI) program for your city/town
Family TIES of Massachusetts can help you find a program near you
Phone: (800) 905-8437
Website: click here to use the Find a Program Directory
General information email: EI@state.ma.us
Public Preschool Program (3 – 5yrs)
Contact the Public School Preschool Program (sometimes called Early Childhood Special Education) for your town, your child does not have to be attending school for a screening or evaluation
Public School System (5+yrs)
Contact the Public School Special Education Department for your town. Your child does not have to be enrolled in school yet to receive a screening or evaluation
Whatever option you choose, evaluations and services are confidential. All providers (even private clinicians) are legally required to keep your information private. No information about your child or family can be shared without your written permission.
Can I get an evaluation privately (and will insurance cover it)?
Short answer: it depends. While it is possible to get health insurance coverage for some specialty services (speech therapy and physical therapy, for example), the amount reimbursed, copays and specific services covered depend on your specific insurance coverage.
Bottom line: Contact your health insurance provider directly for the details.
Screenings and evaluations (what is the difference?)
A screening is a quick look at a child’s skills to see how he or she is developing. The purpose of a screening is to determine the need for an in-depth evaluation. “Pass” means that expected milestones are being met and “fail” means that further testing (an evaluation) is recommended. Your pediatrician often completes screenings (vision and hearing, for example).
An evaluation is an in-depth assessment of development to identify strengths, needs, and areas of concern. Evaluations are completed by the specialist or team to determine the need for services. Specialists may include educators, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and/or occupational therapists. An evaluation may look at a single area (speech and language evaluation, for example) or look at multiple areas of development (Massachusetts Early Intervention assesses all major milestones).
A screening determines the need for an in-depth evaluation.
An evaluation determines the need for services.
What do evaluations look like?
This varies by setting, but typically the younger the child is the more play-based the evaluation will be. In any setting, the evaluation may include family interviews and clinical observation as evaluators present toys and encourage your child to demonstrate various skills. → No child is “too young” for an evaluation through Early Intervention.
What happens after an evaluation? (Will I get services?)
After the evaluation, the specialist or team goes over the results with you to discuss what support may benefit for your child. This is the time to ask any and all questions you have! Each setting (Private Clinics, Massachusetts Early Intervention, Public Schools) has its own requirements and procedures to determine who qualifies or is eligible to receive services.
If you strongly disagree with the results, you can seek further testing or get a second opinion – if the evaluators aren’t responsive to your concerns, ask the program director. Additionally, if your child does not qualify for services through a public program and you are still concerned – don’t give up! Programs will typically evaluate your child again in the future (“re-evaluation”).
Service options vary depending on your specific program
Typical options include visits at home, in a center, virtual visits, parent coaching, and therapeutic play groups. Families and clinicians work together to create a plan for services that is specific to your child’s individual needs. For public (no cost) programs, these plans are formal and always require your written permission for changes to be made.
The plan for Massachusetts Early Intervention is called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). For children 3 years of age and over, the public school is responsible for the services outlined in the plan which is called an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Tips for Early Language Development
Speech and language development is one of the most common areas of concern for families with young children. Use the following tips to support early communication skills! These are my favorite strategies to use as a speech-language pathologist and mom.
Click here for free early childhood resources for families!
Simple Strategies for Early Language
- Wait a moment – While talking, reading a book or even singing a song, pause and wait a few moments. The wait time gives your little one a chance to communicate! Offering choices (“Do you want milk or water?” “A car or a ball?”) creates a natural opportunity for you to wait for a response. When your child lets you know what they want → looking, pointing, sounds, partial words (i.e. “muh” for Milk), accept it!
- Encourage imitation – Your child learning to imitate or copy you is a powerful learning tool. Help your child learn to imitate your actions, words, and sounds by taking turns (rolling a ball, pointing to pictures in a book, saying “beep-beep” with a toy car). Don’t forget to imitate what he or she does and says, too! Have fun, so that he or she WANTS to play and imitate you (for example, uh-oh! Boom!).
- Model words and phrases – Provide models or examples of words and combinations of words (phrases) that fit the situation for your child. As he or she reaches to be picked up, say the word “Up!” or as you play with a ball → point and say “Ball” or “Throw!” Prioritize words and phrases that are meaningful to your child and family (i.e. saying “Milk” could be more helpful than naming shapes). You can model the names of people (family members), items around the house (favorite toys and foods), and actions (eat, wash, open).
Happy communicating! If you have concerns about your child, please contact your pediatrician and/or a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Where can I get further information?
You can learn more about speech, language and hearing development and disorders by visiting the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website www.asha.org/public. For resources on all areas of development including motor, sensory, and communication (plus free milestone trackers developed by pediatricians and specialists) go to www.pathways.org.
Related: Watch the Q&A on Toddler Language Development
Conclusion
If you have concerns about your child’s development, get an evaluation and learn about options for support. You can contact programs directly to start the process. Public options include Massachusetts Early Intervention for children under 3 years of age and the public preschool from age 3 years and up. Contact your health insurance to learn about coverage for private services. You know your child best, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and explore your options. I hope this information is helpful for you and your family!
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Written by Eva Lee Malone, a mother and speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializing in early intervention and preschool. Eva is certified and licensed in the state of Massachusetts. She creates resources and educational materials for fellow clinicians and families with young children. Click here to learn more about Eva Lee, SLP
This post was written in partnership with Melanin Mass Moms. Learn more about this nonprofit organization at melaninmassmoms.com.
