Early Childhood

Understanding & Monitoring Your Child’s Development

The early years of a child’s life are crucial for their health and development. Healthy development means that children of all abilities, including those with special health care needs, are able to grow up where their social, emotional, and educational needs are met.

Use any of these resources to observe how your child grows and changes over time and whether your child meets the typical developmental milestones in playing, learning, speaking, behaving, and moving. Families, grandparents, early childhood providers, and other caregivers can participate in developmental monitoring.

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Learn About Developmental Screening Tools and How They are Used

Developmental screening tools use a carefully tested set of questions and tasks to spot any areas where a child might need extra help. After the screening, they provide a score that helps providers and families understand how the child is doing compared to other kids their age. This score also gives parents ideas about what they can do next to support their child’s development.

Every child grows and develops differently, reaching milestones at their own pace. Watch Me Grow is designed to ensure that all families and children (from birth through 5 years) receive the necessary services and support to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.

Watch Me Grow uses developmental screening questionnaires called “Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)” to help identify strengths and concerns and make referrals to the appropriate State and local resources. Learn more about the Ages and Stages tools below.

How Can I Get a Developmental Screening for My Child?

Completing a developmental screening can be fun and informative if you are curious or have concerns about your child’s development. A developmental screening will identify your child’s strengths and areas needing support.

If You are Concerned and Your Child is Under Three Years Old

A developmental screening does not provide a diagnosis, but it indicates if a child is on the right development track or if a specialist should take a closer look. If the screening identifies an area of concern, a formal developmental evaluation may then be needed. A formal evaluation looks more in-depth at a child’s development and is usually done by a doctor, such as a developmental pediatrician. The doctor may observe the child, give the child a structured test, ask the parents or caregivers questions, or ask them to fill out questionnaires. The results of this formal evaluation determine whether a recommendation for special treatments or early intervention services (or both) will be made. Sometimes, it will be a group or team of professionals, such as a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or a speech-language pathologist, who work together. This is called an interdisciplinary evaluation.

If screening results are concerning or you want to talk to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child to see if they are eligible for services to support their growth and development, you will want to begin the referral process. To begin the referral process, get connected with NH Birth to 3: Family-Centered Early Supports and Services through your local Area Agency. For a child under three, anyone can make a referral to NH Birth to 3 Services. You do not need a referral from your doctor. Trust your instincts. Birth to 3 can help you tease out what is typical or not for your child. New Hampshire programs are located in 10 regions across the state to best serve families in their own communities. Find your local Area Agency (pdf).

If You are Concerned and Your Child is Over Three Years Old

If your child is 3 years old or older, and their screening results are concerning, or you want to talk to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child to see if they are eligible for services to support their growth and development, you will want to begin the referral process by going through your local public school district.

Contact your local public school district and ask for assistance in identifying services your child may need.  Even if your child is not old enough for kindergarten or enrolled in a public school, call your local elementary school and ask to speak with someone who can help you have your child evaluated. This is referred to as ‘Child Find‘.’  By federal and state law, local school districts must work with families and community partners to find, identify and serve children who are eligible for special education and related services so that services can begin by the child’s third birthday. An Individualized Education Program is developed for each eligible child based on the child’s strengths and needs. Placements may include the child’s home, local private or public preschool/kindergartens, or Head Start programs.

The Parent Information Center has a SAMPLE LETTER FOR REFERRAL that families can use to request a referral from their local public school in writing. If you need assistance with this process, call the Parent Information Center at 603-224-7005.

Search the Lending Library for Books on Your Child’s Diagnosis

Search our library for books on your child’s particular condition or to learn more about early childhood special education. For example, enter the term “speech delay” if your child is working on speech skills or “early intervention” for more information on early supports and services.

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Transitioning from Birth to 3 Services to Special Education Preschool

After a child turns 3, they are no longer eligible for services under FCESS, and those services will stop on the child’s 3rd birthday. At this point, community-based services such as community preschool programs, outpatient therapy programs, and continued Area Agency services may support a child’s and family’s needs. Some children may qualify for preschool special education services from their local school district. Not all children who receive FCESS qualify for preschool special education. As part of the ‘Transition Planning Process’, a family’s Service Coordinator will discuss these options with a family and help to review and plan for available options. A Transition Plan will be developed and included in the IFSP to ensure no gaps in services. Planning for transition begins when the child turns 27 months, or earlier if they are no longer eligible for Birth to 3 services, or as soon as possible if a child enters Birth to 3 services after 27 months.