Year round services coordination is provided. There is no cost to families. To request Early Development services for your child or to refer a child in your area, call the local number below. With prior parental permission, referrals may be made by anyone who suspects a developmental delay in an infant or toddler. Most of the connections are formed after birth as a result of interaction with the baby's family and environment.
Every moment spent with a child influences the development of their brain.
Most human brain connections for vision are in place by the age of 8 months. Immediately after birth, the developing brain begins soaking up sounds and words as a dry sponge soaks up water. Hearing loss is the most common congenital disorder in newborns . The average age at which children are diagnosed with a hearing loss is 2.5 years. Recent research suggests that children born with a hearing loss who are identified and given appropriate intervention before 6 months of age have significantly better language skills than those children identified after 6 months of age.