Parents can easily be confused when they suspect that their child may have a developmental delay. The family members can have many questions about the process of seeking special education support, and they often feel isolated from friends and family ask they attempt to make the best decisions for their child.Does My Child Have a Developmental Delay?: A Guide for Parents on the Early Intervention Process is a step-by-step guide for families on how to navigate the early intervention process. The book also includes personal stories of families that have experienced the early intervention process with their own children.

Dr. Sarah Taylor Vanover has been working in the field of early childhood education for over nineteen years and has had the opportunity to be a teacher, an educational coordinator, a director, and a trainer for other early childhood educators. For the past several years she has focused her work and research on assessing quality early childhood programs for health and safety requirements and school readiness skills.

ForewordDr. Julie Rutland, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Morehead State UniversityPrefaceChapter 1: Noticing DifferencesDevelopmental MilestonesWhat the Parent NoticesWhat the Teacher NoticesStory #1 Sydneys StoryChapter 2: Assessments and ConferencesThe Purpose of Developmental AssessmentsWhat is in Assessments?How Teachers Share Information with FamiliesStory #2 Tys StoryChapter 3: Referrals and EvaluationsWhat is a Referral?Who Makes Referrals?What is an Evaluation?What Do Evaluation Results Mean?What Options Do You Have After the Evaluation?Story #3 Emilys StoryChapter 4: What is a Developmental Delay?TerminologyWhat Conditions are Included?LabelsStory #4 Prestons StoryChapter 5: The Burden on the FamilyWhat is Chronic Sorrow?Stages of GriefTraits of Parents Raising Children with Special NeedsBeing the Expert on Your ChildStory #5 Olivias StoryChapter 6: Alphabet Soup: IDEA, IFSP, and IEPIDEAIFSPIEPStory #6 Samanthas Story and the Classroom Teachers PerspectiveChapter 7: The New Special EducationThe Inclusive ModelSee It, Do It, Teach It/ Peer Role ModelsTeam ApproachTherapy in the ClassroomThe Natural EnvironmentStory #7 Melenas Story and The Therapists PerspectiveChapter 8: The Early Intervention ProcessThe Role of the Developmental InterventionistThe Role of the Classroom TeacherThe Role of the TherapistsThe Role of the FamilySharing Common GoalsStory #8 Hollys Story and The Developmental Interventionists PerspectiveChapter 10: The Parents Roles as AdvocatesWhat Does It Mean to be an Advocate?What Does the World Need to Know About My Child?Speaking Up without Turning People Off