New York State

Information for a Healthy New York

Search

Site Contents

• Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records
• Health Insurance Programs
• Employment Opportunities
• Forms
• Family & Community Health
• Health Care Professionals & Patient Safety
• Hospitals, Nursing Homes & Other Health Care Facilities
• Diseases & Conditions
• Health & Safety in the Home, Workplace & Outdoors
• Healthy Lifestyles & Prevention
• Laws & Regulations
• Statistics & Data
• Events & Training
• Grants/Funding Opportunities
• Permits, Licenses & Certification
• Press Releases & Reports
• Freedom of Information Law
• Webcasts
• Related Sites

Please Note

Some documents on this page are saved in the Portable Document Format (PDF). If it's not already on your computer, you'll need to download the latest free version of Acrobat Reader.

You are Here: Home Page > Early Intervention Program > Early Help Makes a Difference  

Early Help Makes a Difference

Reviewed October 2007

• This document, Early Help Makes a Difference! Checklist for Growing Children, is also available in Portable Document format. (PDF, 364KB, 5 pg.)

Young children learn and develop differently. One baby may walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. But, some children will need extra help.

Look for signs that your infant or toddler might need extra help. Early help makes a difference! If your child does have a problem, the earlier you get help, the better.

Where Can Parents Get Help?

Call the Early Intervention Program in your county. You will be put in touch with someone to evaluate your child's development. Then, if your child is eligible, together you'll make a plan to get help for your child - and you.

What Help is Available?

Early intervention services are provided to help your child grow and develop, and to help you care for your child.

These services include evaluation services (including hearing and vision screening); home visits; speech, physical and other therapies; child development groups; family counseling; and, sometimes, even help with transportation. These services are provided at no cost to you.

What Children Need Early Help?

Any child from birth to age three with a developmental delay, disability or condition that affects development may need help.

Who Do I Call?

• For the phone number of your county's program, call the New York State "Growing Up Healthy" 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-522-5006.
• In New York City, call 311.
• Or, you can call the New York Parent's Connection 1-800-345-5437 (1-800-345-KIDS) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., about this and other child-related services.
• Or visit the NYSDOH Bureau of Ealy Intervention Web page at http://www.nyhealth.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/index.htm

Checklist for Growing Children

Here's what you can expect your child to be doing, from birth to age three. If your baby seems different, call your local Early Intervention Program.

At three months of age, most babies:	At six months of age, most babies:	At 12 months of age, most babies:
turn their heads toward bright colors and lights move both eyes in the same direction together recognize bottle or breast respond to their mother's voice make cooing sounds bring their hands together wiggle and kick with arms and legs lift head when on stomach become quiet in response to sound, especially to speech smile	follow moving objects with their eyes turn toward the source of normal sound reach for objects and pick them up switch toys from one hand to the other play with their toes help hold the bottle during feeding recognize familiar faces imitate speech sounds respond to soft sounds, especially talking roll over	get to a sitting position pull to a standing position stand briefly without support crawl imitate adults using a cup or telephone play peek-a-boo and patty cake wave bye-bye put objects in a container say at least one word make "ma-ma" or "da-da" sounds

At 1 1/2 years of age, most children:	At two years of age, most children:	At three years of age, most children:
like to push and pull objects say at least six words follow simple directions ("Bring the ball") pull off shoes, socks and mittens can point to a picture that you name in a book feed themselves make marks on paper with crayons walk without help walk backwards point, make sounds or try to use words to ask for things say "no," shake their head or push away things they don't want	use two-to-three-word sentences say about 50 words recognize familiar pictures kick a ball forward feed themselves with a spoon demand a lot of your attention turn two-to-three pages together like to imitate their parent identify hair, eyes, ears and nose by pointing build a tower of four blocks show affection	throw a ball overhand ride a tricycle put on their shoes open the door turn one page at a time play with other children for a few minutes repeat common rhymes use three-to-five-word sentences name at least one color correctly

If your child is having trouble doing some of these things, it may put your mind at rest to talk to someone. Early help makes a difference! Talk with your doctor or call your local Early Intervention Program.