SMH.COM - Development Delays / Services & Support

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4630 17th Street Sarasota, FL 34235

Gulf Central Early Steps for Infants and Toddlers

Through Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, the Early Steps program assures that early intervention services and supports are available to children with developmental delays from birth to 36 months of age. If a child has a developmental delay, disability, or a condition that places him or her at risk, the child may be eligible for services through Early Steps. A child's future is much brighter when the necessary services, treatment, and programs are provided early in life.

Services include:

evaluations	service coordination	counseling
early intervention/ therapy	home-based services	parent support
assessment	adaptive equipment	resources and information

Early Steps provides services to Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, Highlands, Hardee and Sarasota Counties and has qualified staff to help families identify concerns as related to their child, develop a plan of support, and coordinate services from area providers to assist the child and family. If you have concerns about your child, please contact your local Early Steps office.

Early Steps: 941-487-5400 or 1-866-510-5594
Serving Infants and Toddlers in the Gulf Central Region

Babies and toddlers grow and develop at their own pace, but usually can do the following activities by the age listed.

Your Child's Growth and Developmental Steps from Birth to 36 Months:

At 3 months	Indicators for Concern
Turns head toward bright light and sounds Watches faces and objects Lifts head and chest while on stomach Makes cooing sounds, chuckles Soothes with cuddling Enjoys touch Kicks feet, moves hands Brings hands to mouth Smiles	Does not watch moving objects No startle to sound
At 6 months	Indicators for Concern
Recognizes happy and sad voices Plays with hands and feet Brings most objects to mouth Reaches for objects with both hands and moves from hand to hand Sits but may need support Babbles more than 2 sounds Rolls from stomach to back Turns to find your voice Has good head control Laughs while playing Reaches and grasps toys, objects Has predictable sleep pattern	Unable to roll over Difficulty lifting head Does not turn head to direction of sound
At 9 months	Indicators for Concern
Begins crawling Smile at self in mirror Explore objects closely with hands and eyes Plays peek-a-boo and patty cake Begin sitting without assistance Looks for hidden toy Throws toys or objects Pulls self up, stands while holding on Feeds self finger food such as cereal Imitate sounds like "ooh" and "ahh"	Unable to sit by self Difficulty picking up objects Not imitating or babbling
At 12 months	Indicators for Concern
Pulls self up and stands Says "Mama", "Baba", or "Dada" Takes a few steps while holding on Copies your sounds Begins to follow simple directions (please come here, drink your juice) Waves bye-bye Presses buttons on phone, toys Enjoys being read to Use 1-3 words Holds bottle	Does not use single words like "Mama" or "Dada" Difficulty crawling Needs to use hand to maintain sitting (back to top)
At 15 months	Indicators for Concern
Stands and steps towards or walks Stacks 2-3 blocks Helps to dress by holding out arms or legs Knows and says 4-5 words Makes voice go up and down, to sound like a conversation Listens to a story Curious - will explore on own	Unable to stand alone Does not point to objects, people Does not hold own cup
At 18 months	Indicators for Concern
Walk and maybe run a little Climb up or down one stair Enjoys pull toys Scribbles Prefers to feed self Knows names of things, people Throws a ball Drinks from a cup and eats with a spoon Plays along side other children Squats to pick up toys Begins pretend play	Unable to walk without help Does not say at least 15 words Unable to feed self with spoon
At 24 months	Indicators for Concern
Kicks a large ball Turns pages, 2 or 3 at a time Imitates housework Recognizes familiar pictures, books and knows if they are upside down Asks for items by name Uses 2-3 words together Makes circular strokes with a pencil Says "mine" Jumps in place Engages in pretend play (using spoon as an airplane)	Does not follow simple directions Does not pretend play Walks on toes Difficulty holding large size crayon
At 36 months	Indicators for Concern
Stands on one foot for a moment Walks up stairs Rides a tricycle Feeds self Opens a door Responds to feelings of others Indicates need to use the toilet - shows interest in toilet training Partially dresses and undresses Shares toys, takes turns during play Uses 3-word sentences Names at least one color Completes 3-4 piece puzzle	Words/speech not understood by others No interest in other children Poor balance, falls frequently

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