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New Diagnosis

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Overview

Whether your child is one week or five years old, receiving a new diagnosis or news of a developmental delay is a lot to process and understand. When you’re ready, make time to explore the many resources and benefits that are available to you.

When can my child start early intervention services?

  • Early intervention can make a huge positive impact on kids’ lives and development. If your child is under age three and has been diagnosed with, or is at risk for, developmental delays or disabilities, it’s important to start services as soon as you can.
  • The state of California provides early intervention services to infants and toddlers free of charge through Early Start.

Contents

Overview
When can my child start early intervention services?
Who are the providers I need to see about my child’s diagnosis?
What public benefits are available to children with a new diagnosis?
How do I make sure my child gets supports in school for their new diagnosis?

Getting a Diagnosis

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A New Diagnosis: Now What?
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Letter to a New Parent of a Child with a Disability
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Most Common Developmental Disability Diagnoses

Early Intervention

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Mapping the Journey from Birth to Kindergarten: The 4 Ws of Early Intervention
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How to Qualify for Early Intervention - Regional Center Services under age 3
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How to Get Started with Regional Center

Providers and Therapies

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What Is a Care Team? - How to Build and Coordinate Your Child's Team
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Types of Medical Specialists: Glossary
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Types of Therapies: Glossary

Related Parent Questions

Parent Question
What do developmental-behavioral pediatricians do?
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians (also known as developmental pediatricians) specialize in evaluating and treating infants, children, and young adults with developmental, behavioral, and learning disorders such as Down syndrome, ADHD, and autism.
Parent Question
When should I start early intervention services?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are certain milestones in an infant’s first year to pay attention to when it comes to seeking out speech, physical, occupational, and behavioral therapy. Eighty percent of brain growth occurs during the first three years of life, so earlier is better.
Parent Question
Is my child eligible for Regional Center services after age three?
To be eligible for Regional Center services after age three, a child must have a substantial disability that begins before age 18 and is expected to continue indefinitely.

Related Video Clips

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Getting a Diagnosis for Your Child
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Why Learning from Other Parents is Key
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Is getting a diagnosis more important than getting services?
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Where to Seek Help for Disability Services
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Regional Center Eligibility After Age 3
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Author

Brittany OlsenUndivided Editor

An editor and cartoonist who loves using words and images to simplify and share ideas. She has ten years of experience as a copy editor and lives near Portland, Oregon. She often spends her free time going on nature walks with her dog or trying new bread recipes.

Reviewed by

Jennifer Drew, Undivided Senior Editor

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