Early intervention for 3.5 year old

[Anonymous]

Our 3.5 year old needs some OT and language therapy and I am trying to find out if DC will provide any services as part of an early intervention program. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The DC early intervention infants and toddlers program goes from age birth to 3. My son is in it, and they told me that After age 3, they can help arrange for a preschool setting for his needs to be met. I would imagine they would help you find a preschool that offered services for your son where he could get his therapy needs.

[Anonymous]

As I think you've already learned, 3.5 is beyond the age threshhold for early intervention services. If your child's areas of challenge relate to his/her (later) academic performance, s/he should qualify for services provided by your public school system -- contact the Special Education or Therapeutic Services Division. I know that DCPS is a maze and getting it to provide therapeutic services is difficult and time-consuming at best, but you may as well get the ball rolling because your child will hopefully be found to be eligible at some point which will be helpful, convenient, and less money out-of-pocket for you.

However, you may not want to delay starting services while you work through that process as it is best to start helping to enhance your child's foundational skills as early as possible. Therefore, you may want to jump-start the process by contacting a private OT/ST practice in the meantime. There are lots of good ones in the area.

[Anonymous]

You can contact the Early Stages office (formerly the CARE Center) - which is the Early Childhood Special Education Office for DCPS. Their number is 671-0882. I believe they will set you up with an appointment for a screening first - your child will be observed in a group setting. Then they will determine if an evaulation is necessary and proceed from there.