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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Health: Birth to 5
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Monitoring your child’s development Every parent wants to know that their child is healthy, happy and growing. How do parents know what is “normal” growth? There can be such a range in children’s development that it seems hard to determine whether or not there is cause for concern. Here are three steps parents can take to better understand their child’s development. Get the facts There are many resources available to help parents learn about developmental stages appropriate to their child’s age. Hundreds of books have been written and there are websites available where you can read about the different milestones your child should be achieving. For a quick list of these milestones, visit cdc.gov. It is important to remember there is a range of “normal development” and some children reach certain milestones earlier or later than other children. Consult a health professional regularly Here are two words every parent should know – medical home. These words sound clinical, even institutional, but they are not. A medical home is not just a building or a place, but also an approach to providing ongoing, comprehensive care for your child. Having a medical home for your child means you have a single doctor or healthcare provider who knows you, your child and your medical history. Your medical home works in partnership with you, tracks your child’s growth and development, helps think through any concerns you have and coordinates special care your child might need. Your medical home may be your child’s pediatrician or a neighborhood clinic where you regularly go. Be sure to share any concerns you may have, and consider writing down your questions before your visit so that you remember to ask. For a list of community clinics in Orange County that provide affordable healthcare, see coccc.org. Have your child assessed by a health professional “Assessment” and “screening” seem like impersonal words that might make young children fit into a standardized mold and diminish their unique abilities. The truth is, having your child assessed or screened means working with professional healthcare providers to identify any special needs your child might have. Parents may be concerned that their child will be labeled or placed in a special program if a delay is identified. But whether it is a physical or developmental delay, or a behavioral concern, the sooner you identify your child’s need and create a plan to address it, the better chance your child has of developing to his or her full potential. Early intervention is only possible with early assessment. There are many places your child can receive a developmental screening. In addition to your medical home, there are nurses in every school district in Orange County who are specifically trained to assess the development of preschool-aged children. Some common developmental disabilities that can be identified with an early screening include vision and hearing impairment, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. To find the school readiness nurse nearest you, contact your local Orange County elementary school district and ask for the school readiness nurse or contact Barbara Bohlig, RN, consultant to the Children and Families Commission of Orange County at bjbllc@cox.net. This article was supplied by the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. The commission sponsors and supports programs to meet the greatest needs of the youngest children of Orange County. The article is part of our initiative to bring you the commission’s “Help Me Grow” program. |
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