Autism Screening

New Jersey's Children's Specialized Hospital has just announced its new Developmental Screening Clinic for children ages 12-48 months with suspected developmental delays. These clinics, which are staffed by Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, are designed to promote early assessment in order to lead to early intervention and improved functional outcome. These clinics are located in Tom River, Hamilton and Fanwood.


Additionally, Children's Specialized Hospital has also initiated a Pediatric Liaison Service which involves visits from Pediatric Nurse Practitioners to community pediatric practices with the goal of training personnel on recognizing "red flags" of autism and the use of standardized screening tools.


For additional information on the Developmental Screening Clinic or Pediatric Liaison Service visit, contact Children's Specialized Hospital representative Nicole Henken-Siefken at 1-888-CHILDREN x3719.

Ants in my pants!

Here's an easy and inexpensive fix for kids who fidget and squirm at meal times: put a non-slid mat or liner on the seat of the chair. It may not completely stop the fidgeting, but it will likely reduce it!

Books, Books and More Books

There is no substitute for books in the life of a child. - Mary Ellen Chase


Books play a key role in language development by exposing children to the various aspects of speech, language and communication, introducing them to concepts, topics and places to which they would not otherwise be exposed, helping them to relax and wind down, and motivating them to move and groove. Just as importantly, story time presents an opportunity for parents to bond with their children. That being said, however, I have found that many parents do not read to their children, the most frequent explanation being that their children will not sit for books. If this sounds all too familiar to you, then read on.

For very young children, or those who are always too busy to sit for story time, I find that the best types of books to begin with fall into four categories:

• Song books


• Books with moving parts (turn wheel, pop-up and flap books)


• Sensory/touch and feel books


• Books which include a child’s favorite character.

Having fun is a child’s job, as that is how they learn. If your child does not enjoy books, however, getting him to a point where he considers books to be fun may be a challenging task and will likely require persistence on our part. One tip that I generally pass on to parents is this: the adult holds the book. This is essential, not only because it establishes that the adult is in charge of the activity, but it allows the adult to set the pace and prevents the child from ripping pages and flipping through the book without attending to the words.

Interested is some additional tips? I'd be glad to share. Please comment.

What is Early Intervention?

The Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, also referred to as Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is a federal grant program designed to assist states in operating a statewide comprehensive program of early intervention services for eligible infants and toddlers, from birth up until three years of age, and their families. This program was established by Congress in 1986 to enhance the development of children under the age of three with disabilities, augment a family’s ability to meet their child’s needs, lessen the possibility of institutionalization and maximize independent living, and decrease educational costs by reducing the need for special education in later years. Direct services are provided in the child’s natural environment and generally include but are not limited to developmental intervention, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, family training, and nursing services. Currently, all states and eligible territories are participating in this program.

Despite being a federal program, statewide early intervention systems vary from state to state. For instance, as states are permitted some discretion in setting the criteria for child eligibility, some states serve children at risk for developing a delay, while others serve only those with disabilities. States also differ concerning which state agency has been designated lead agency. In New Hampshire and West Virginia, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services oversees the program, while in states such as Maine, Maryland, Iowa, and Oklahoma, Part C is the responsibility of the Department of Education. Another way in which the program varies between states pertains to family cost participation. While the Federal government dictates that evaluation, assessment, service coordination, Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development, and procedural safeguards must be provided at no cost to the family, there is no such mandate for direct services. Though some early intervention recipients may receive services at no cost, others may only receive services through family cost participation, a term used to describe a system of payments, including a sliding fee scale, the use of private insurance, or both.