Determining Eligibility for ESS:
A child can be determined eligible for ESS in three ways:
1. Developmental Delay – a child who has a 33% delay in one or more of the following areas:
• Physical development, including gross motor, fine motor, vision or hearing
- Cognitive development
- Communication development
- Social/emotional development
- Adaptive/self-help development
Or demonstrates atypical behaviors documented by qualified personnel and the family (for example: self-injurious or extremely aggressive behaviors, extreme apathy, extreme distress with difficulty comforting, persistent failure to respond to social situations, etc)
2. Established Condition – a child with a diagnosed physical or mental condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay, even when no delay exists at the time of the referral (examples of established conditions include, but are not limited to: Down syndrome, cleft palate, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, seizure disorders).
3. At Risk for Substantial Developmental Delay – a child and his or her parents who experience five or more of the documented conditions or circumstances that would be likely to contribute to a developmental delay without intervention. Some examples of at-risk factors include, but are not limited to: infant nutritional problems that interfere with growth, gestational age of less than 27 weeks, family history of lack of stable housing, parental education of less than 10th grade or age of either parent less than 18 years, founded child abuse and/or neglect.
Individual therapy
ESS takes a transdisciplinary approach. This means that one primary, qualified individual who addresses all the developmental needs of a child, giving ongoing consultation, support and direction from professionals of other disciplines (physical, occupational, and/or speech therapists, social workers and/or educators).
• Physical Therapists: specialize in treating specific areas of the body, such as the back, neck, knee, hand, or shoulder, or they may concentrate their practice on pre- and postnatal care, sports injuries, stroke rehabilitation, or one of many other areas or physical therapy. Physical therapists may also be certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) in seven specialty areas of physical therapy: orthopedics, sports, geriatrics, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary, neurology, and clinical electrophysiology. www.apta.org
Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Services typically include:
- Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities
- Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
- Performance skills assessments and treatment
- Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
- Guidance to family members and caregivers
www.aota.org
Speech and Language Pathology: The professionals who are educated to assess speech and language development and to treat language and speech disorders (sometimes informally referred to as speech therapists). Can also help people with swallowing disorders.
www.asha.org
Additional Services
- Early childhood education, activities & information
- Social Services
- Community toddler groups
- Parenting skills training
- Home programming
- Family Support
- Community resource information
- Consultation to childcare providers & preschools
Child Care Resource and Referral
Seacoast and Salem: www.rcaction.org
Keene: www.scshelps.org
Berlin: www.nhctc.edu
Lakes Region/Conway: www.lrcsc.org
Claremont: www.ccrr@claremont.k12.nh.us
Concord/Manchester: www.eastersealsnh.org
Farmington: www.straffordctyrnr.aol.com
Hanover: www.dartnouth.edu
