HEALTH SERVICES

Developmental interventions, or “health services,” are provided to families who have a child or children that have been identified as having a developmental delay. To get health services, the state will use an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP). Discipline-specific therapies and family support services are incorporated into IFSPs/IEPs based on the child and family’s assessment information.

Specific health services will be provided individually, in groups or using a consultative model of intervention, based on the recommendations of the IFSP team.

“Who is rich? He/she who rejoices in his/her portion.”

Pirkei Avot - Ethics of the Fathers

Possible Services

Your child’s plan could include one or a combination of any of the following services:

  • Assessment – After an initial assessment, there will be ongoing procedures to identify the child’s strengths and developmental needs, as well as the family’s concerns, priorities and resources.

  • Assistive Technology – Provision of equipment, including adaptive assistive devices, which have been designed or altered for special use by children with developmental delays or disabilities.

  • Audiology Services – Testing of the child’s hearing and referral for further services, as needed.

  • Developmental Intervention – Designing learning activities that promote the child’s acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental areas.

  • Family Training and Counseling – Guidance for the family, such as help from trained personnel in understanding the special needs of the child and enhancing the child’s development.

  • Health Services – Assistance to enable a child to benefit from other early intervention services, including: clean intermittent catheterization, tracheotomy care, tube feeding, the changing of dressings or colostomy collection bags, and consultation with service providers concerning special health care needs.

  • Medical Services – Diagnostic or evaluation services by a licensed physician to determine a child’s developmental status and the need for early intervention services.

  • Nursing Services – Assistance to enable a child to benefit from early intervention services, including: health status assessments and nursing care to prevent health problems or to improve functioning.

  • Nutrition – Individual assessment, development, and monitoring of plans to address the child’s nutritional needs.

  • Occupational Therapy – Services to assist children with learning skills needed for play and daily living; designing and providing assistive devices.

  • Physical Therapy – Services to identify and help prevent or reduce movement difficulties.

  • Service Coordination – Assistance in obtaining the services needed by the child and family, providing information about early intervention services, and finding other needed resources in the community.

  • Social Work Services – Assessment of the child in the home and family environment. Individual and family group counseling and activities to build social skills.

  • Speech/Language Pathology – Identification, referral and provision of services to assist children with understanding and responding to communication.

  • Transportation – Transportation services that are necessary to enable a child and family to receive early intervention services.

  • Vision Services – Evaluation and assessment of vision, referral for medical or other professional services necessary for the habilitation or rehabilitation of visual functions, communication skills training, orientation and mobility training, visual training, independent living skills training and additional training necessary to activate visual abilities.

Jewish Community Services (JCS) provides a broad range of services that meet the diverse, multi-dimensional needs of individuals and families throughout Central Maryland.  JCS is committed to helping individuals with special needs grow, learn, work and participate fully in community life.  We provide a wide array of services for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  JCS provides counseling, advocacy and case management services to children, adults and families of individuals with special needs. Other services include assistance with independent living skills, tutoring, and locating and obtaining special equipment.  JCS works with the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) to obtain and fund resources and services.

0.5M
Americans Live With an Autism Spectrum Disorder
0%
of Children Have Been Diagnosed with a Developmental Disability