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Birth to 3
You may have already started scrolling the internet for available resources for your child that has been newly diagnosed or needs some additional assistance. It can be very confusing and overwhelming. Lets start at the beginning:
Northeastern Florida Early Steps
If you suspect your child has a delay or is newly diagnosed, you can seek help through the State of Florida’s Early Steps system. This program is at no cost to the family and is not income qualified. It is for children birth to 3 years of age. You can self-refer or get your child’s pediatrician to refer you for an evaluation. If your child was a preemie and weighs under 1200 grams at birth they automatically qualify as an established condition.
No Cost to you Developmental Evaluations
They will do a developmental evaluation to determine if your little one needs services. Here is a link to qualifications. Early Steps Qualifications Services can be speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, infant/toddler development specialist and more. Therapy is done in the natural environment, so in the home and/or daycare or community. They have playgroups so that you can meet other families and your children can have opportunities to play in an inclusive environment. To reach them to schedule an evaluation you can call 904-360-7022.
Private Insurance
If you have insurance and want to set up private therapy apart from Early Steps there is other really great resources in town. Call you insurance company and ask for in-network providers for the therapy that you are searching for. If your child has Medicaid then there will not be any copays for therapy sessions with Medicaid.
Stay tuned to our blog for more valuable resources and services for your family.