Early Intervention/Development

What is early intervention?
A range of services for infants and toddlers up to age three who are experiencing a delay in some area of their development.

In this section, find out about:
● Normal vs. Delayed Development
● Information about Developmental Evaluations
● Advocacy & Legal Rights
● Services & Therapies for Young Children
● Head Start & Preschool Programs

● NORMAL VS. DELAYED
DEVELOPMENT ●
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Children
Contains information about normal development and milestones for babies, toddlers, school-aged children, teens and young adults.
141 Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
(847) 434-4000
- www.healthychildren.org
Baby Sign Language
Baby sign language is a way for all parents to improve early infant communication and communicate with children before they can actually speak. It has been shown to boost development as well. This website is full of free resources, including free videos, free flash cards and free tutorials.
- www.babysignlanguage.com
Early Intervention Support
Find answers and practical suggestions on child development. This online site explains how children develop and what early intervention is.
- www.earlyinterventionsupport.com
First Signs
Educates parents and professionals about the early warning signs of autism and developmental disorders. They also have screening questionnaires online.
PO Box 358, Merrimac, Massachusetts 01860
(978) 346-4380
- www.firstsigns.org
My Baby's Hearing
Did your baby fail the newborn hearing screening test or have you been told that your newborn or infant has a hearing loss? This website offers a lot of helpful advice and information for parents, and is sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
31 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
(301) 496-7243 or (301) 402-0252 TTY
- www.babyhearing.org
Nationwide Children's Hospital Health E-Hints
Health e-Hints is a free, unique e-newsletter written by pediatric specialists and customized to meet the health and safety needs of your family. When you enter the ages of your own children, you'll only get the articles that are relevant to your family. The newsletter is completely customized just for you! There is an edition written specifically for childcare workers and an edition for health care workers, as well. Click below to sign up.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000
- www.nationwidechildrens.org
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Health Information Library
Find age appropriate and medically reviewed health articles, breaking news, games, quizzes, health movies and much more for parents, kids and teens.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000
- www.nationwidechildrens.org
Pathways Awareness
Supports parents by providing knowledge, information and a sense of community as parents learn about early detection and the benefit of early therapy for children with delays.
150 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Toll-free National Information Line: (800) 955-2445
- ww.pathwaysawareness.org
Zero to Three
Offers helpful information about behavior, development, care and education of infants in their first 3 years of life. View handouts in Spanish and English on what to expect as your child grows and how you can help your child learn.
2000 M Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 638-1144
- www.zerotothree.org/child-development
● INFORMATION ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATIONS ●
Child Find
This website provides information and resources related to the earliest possible identification of young children and their families who may benefit from early intervention or education services.
400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202
(800) 872-5327
- www.childfindidea.org
Columbus Kids
Provides free learning checkups that help detect early developmental delays and speech, hearing or vision problems among children ages 2-1/2 to 4 years old within the Columbus City School district. Go online to view their kindergarten readiness checklist and a list of learning checkup locations. Parents receive a free gift when they complete a learning checkup with their child.
360 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 241-3089
- www.columbuskids.org
Directions for Youth & Families (DFYF) Ready Set Grow
This free program is for children in Franklin County ages 2-1/2 to 6 who may not be ready for kindergarten. The program includes weekly visits to the home and child assessments with recommendations. Parenting education and other family assistance are provided as well.
1515 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 294-2661
- www.dfyf.org
Flying Colors
Flying Colors is the evaluation and early childhood center for Licking County public schools. They do evaluations on children ages 3 to 5 in the county and determine special educational needs. They also offer a program for children who qualify for kindergarten but may need an additional year in a preschool setting, as well as services for children with special needs (including autism, hearing impairments and speech delays).
119 Union Street, Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 349-1629
- www.flyingcolorspreschool.com
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Services are provided for children from birth to age 6 who have developmental delays, disabilities or mental retardation. Professionals and families work together to create developmentally appropriate experiences for young children, in both a classroom setting and in the home.
2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 475-6440
- www.fcbdd.org
Help Me Grow (HMG)
This is the agency that oversees health and developmental services for children from birth to age 3 in each county across Ohio. They evaluate children for delays, and they help with concerns about a child’s development, such as an infant or toddler’s language, feeding, walking, handling of toys, seeing or hearing. They provide services such as physical therapy, speech therapy and social work. Call the hotline to be connected to your local HMG program, or complete and submit the referral form on their website.
510 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Statewide: (800) 755-GROW or (800) 755-4769
Franklin County: (614) 227-9860
- www.ohiohelpmegrow.org
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Developmental Assessment Program
Offers a wide range of services to address the developmental and behavioral needs of children. They provide comprehensive evaluations for children with suspected developmental disabilities, learning difficulties, autism and co-occurring emotional and behavioral difficulties. They also offer a free resource center for any family that needs help finding resources in the community for their child.
187 West Schrock Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(614) 355-8315
- www.nationwidechildrens.org
Ohio County Boards of Developmental Disabilities
Each county in Ohio has its own Board of Developmental Disabilities, which is responsible for providing early intervention services in that county. Click below to find information about the board in your county.
30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3434
Statewide: (800) 617-6733 or (800) 750-0750 TTY
Franklin County: (614) 475-6440
- https://doddportal.dodd.ohio.gov
Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS)
Find out what early intervention services are free and how to pay for and get funding for services that are not free. They also provide information about early intervention services and helpful links to local and national organizations.
50 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9181
- www.olrs.ohio.gov/faq-ei-services
YMCA Early Childhood Resource Network (ECRN)
Provides developmental screenings for children from six weeks of age through 5 years of age who have special needs (developmental delays, disabilities and special health care needs). ECRN staff perform on-site child observations at child care sites and preschools. They also provide ongoing service coordination.
6877 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085
(614) 543-9000, ext. 212
- www.ymcacolumbus.org
● ADVOCACY & LEGAL RIGHTS ●
Build Ohio
This state organization works with leaders and policy makers to build a comprehensive, well-integrated early childhood system in Ohio.
50 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-3698
- www.build-ohio.org
Franklin County Family & Children First Council
Plans and coordinates services for children, and directs Help Me Grow, which serves children with delays and children at-risk for becoming delayed. They provide leadership to organizations throughout the county that serve children. Click for county Family and Children First councils throughout Ohio.
855 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614) 275-2511
- www.helpmykid.org
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
Provides a lot of helpful information about early intervention services for parents and provides answers to common questions.
1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
(800) 695-0285
- http://nichcy.org
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Serves families of infants, toddlers and youth with disabilities in Ohio to ensure that every Ohio child with special needs reaches their highest potential. Parents can call to get one-to-one assistance.
165 West Center Street, Marion, Ohio 43302
(800) 374-2806, ext. 20
- www.ocecd.org
Ohio Department of Education (ODE)
Provides information, resources and services related to early learning and school readiness.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
- http://education.ohio.gov
Voices for Ohio's Children
Represents a non-partisan statewide network of families, professionals and organizations throughout Ohio that work on public policy to make sure children are well-educated, healthy and safe.
510 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 225-9073
- www.vfc-oh.org
● SERVICES & THERAPIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ●
Alexander Graham Bell School
Serves families of deaf and hearing impaired children from birth to three years of age living in central Ohio, as part of the Columbus Hearing Impaired Program (CHIP). When toddlers are three years old they may enter the preschool program.
1545 Huy Road, Columbus, Ohio 43224
(614) 365-5977
- www.columbus.k12.oh.us
Association for the Developmentally Disabled (ADD) Dahlberg Learning Center
Provides full day, year-round childcare for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years of age. During the school year, they offer physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as early intervention services, early childhood education and social work services.
1915 East Cooke Road Columbus, Ohio 43224
(614) 486-4361
- http://addohio.org
Childhood League Center
Offers early childhood services for children with delays in development, home visitation programs and classes for young children with special needs. Most programs are free or for a small fee.
670 South 18th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 253-6933
- www.childhoodleague.org
Columbus Speech & Hearing Center
Offers screening, evaluation and treatment of children from birth through adulthood with speech and language delays and autism. Click on their resources page to find more resources on topics such as stuttering, literacy, assistive learning devices and more. They offer programs for families of children with autism or language delays to learn how to communicate with their children. They accept government (Medicaid) and private insurances.
510 East North Broadway, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 263-5151 or (614) 263-2299 TTY
- www.columbusspeech.org
Easter Seals Central & Southeast Ohio
Provides a variety of services and programs throughout Ohio for young children with autism, disabilities and special needs. Services include early childhood education, in-home services, physical therapy, speech therapy, weekend respite care for families and recreational opportunities.
3830 Trueman Court, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(800) 860-5523 or (614) 228-5523
- http://centralohio.easterseals.com
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (FCBDD) Early Childhood Education Center
Services are provided for children from birth to age 6 who have developmental delays and disabilities. Services include developmental evaluations, early intervention services, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 475-6440
- www.fcbdd.org
Help Me Grow (HMG)
This is the agency that oversees health and developmental services for children from birth to age 3 in each county across Ohio. They evaluate children for delays, and they help with concerns about a child’s development, such as an infant or toddler’s language, feeding, walking, handling of toys, seeing or hearing. They provide services such as physical therapy, speech therapy and social work. Call the hotline to be connected to your local HMG program, or complete and submit the referral form on their website.
510 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Statewide: (800) 755-GROW or (800) 755-4769
Franklin County: (614) 227-9860
- www.ohiohelpmegrow.org
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Provides developmental evaluations, behavioral intervention, psychological testing and resources for children of all ages with autism spectrum disorders. Services are provided within the home and community.
187 West Schrock Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(614) 355-8315
- www.nationwidechildrens.org/autism
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Occupational, Speech & Physical Therapy Programs
Developmental occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physical therapy services are provided at the main hospital, as well as many locations throughout the community, for children from birth to age 21.
700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2200
- www.nationwidechildrens.org
Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University (OSU)
Offers several programs for young children with disabilities and delays, including an autism spectrum disorder clinic and behavioral support services. Their early intervention program is for ages 1 to 6 with a variety of developmental delays.
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 247-7190
- http://nisonger.osu.edu
Ohio School for the Deaf Alice Cogswell Center
Provides developmentally appropriate year-round education and activities using American Sign Language and English for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.
500 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 728-6900
- www.ohioschoolforthedeaf.org
St. Vincent Family Centers
Offers programs for children ages 2 and older who have severe behavioral, emotional or social challenges.
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-0731
- www.svfc.org
● HEAD START & PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS ●
Head Start Programs
Are you looking for preschool and Head Start programs for children ages 3 to 6? Find out more in the education section of CAP4Kids by clicking below.
- Go to CAP4Kids Education Page
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CAP4Kids does not recommend or endorse the agencies or resources listed on the site. This is an informational site only. We encourage users to carefully review and evaluate all services and decide what is best to meet the needs of their families.