Do you know where to go for help if you suspect your child to be behind on meeting their milestones? If you have general concerns about their development your pediatrician is a great place to start, but did you know you can also self-refer to early intervention for a free screening?
Every state has their own early intervention system for children from birth to age 3. In Kansas it is Infant Toddler Services and in Missouri it is Missouri First Steps. For those that don’t qualify for services, Parents as Teachers is a great free program that can provide parent education and regular developmental screenings.
Mom Pro Tips
- Listen to your gut. If you think your child might have a delay but grandma or their pediatrician or a friend downplays your concerns you can still get them screened. An evaluation costs you nothing and it will give you peace of mind, which is priceless.
- If your child doesn’t initially qualify for services they may qualify later, so don’t be afraid to call for a follow-up if you still have concerns. My daughter didn’t qualify for speech therapy initially but did a year later and they were able to start quickly as we’d already done the evaluation and paperwork.
- You can double up on therapy if you think that would benefit your child. Some folks choose to go through their insurance and get private therapy in addition to the free therapies offered by their state’s early intervention program.
- Many kids meet their goals in early intervention, and don’t go on to need services beyond age 3. If they do still need services, early intervention will facilitate transferring them to the program in their school district around their 3rd birthday. In some cases they can also refer you to a preschool program that can offer therapies as well.
Areas in which early intervention can help your child
- Speech/communication
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Feeding/eating
- Social/emotional behaviors
- Sleep problems
What early intervention can and cannot do
- Can offer therapies if you qualify for them.
- Can offer resources and referrals.
- Cannot make a diagnosis such as autism.
Kansas: Infant Toddler Services
This flow chart is a great overview of the steps in the ITS early intervention model. There are no fees for their services.
This program is county-based, so reach out to your specific county’s program.
- Johnson County
- Leavenworth County
- Miami County (SEK Birth to Three)
- Kansas City, KS School District
Missouri First Steps
There can be fees associated with services if your child is not on MO Healthnet/Medicaid or your family doesn’t receive SSI or food stamps. Fees are on a sliding scale based on family size and federal tax return. The maximum fee is $100/month.
- You can self-refer here (click on parent).
Parents as Teachers
This is a fantastic program, especially for first-time parents that can really benefit from a parent educator walking alongside them. There are regular home visits, group connection opportunities, and annual development screenings. Parents as Teachers can help you track your child’s development and make referrals if concerns arise.
Read our guide to the Parents as Teachers program and follow the links below to find the program in your school district.
Kansas
- Blue Valley School District
- Gardner Edgerton School District
- Kansas City, Kansas School District
- Olathe School District
- Shawnee Mission School District
- Spring Hill School District
- Turner School District
- USD 232 (Encompasses DeSoto, Western Sections of Shawnee, Lenexa, and Olathe)
Missouri
- Belton School District
- Blue Springs School District
- Grandview School District
- Independence School District
- Kansas City Public Schools
- Lee’s Summit School District
- Liberty School District
- North Kansas City School District
- Park Hill School District
- Platte County School District
- Raymore-Peculiar School District
- Raytown School District
