Does My Child Have a Developmental Delay?

Dr. Sarah Taylor Vanover has been working in the field of early childhood education for over nineteen years and has had the opportunity to be a teacher, an educational coordinator, a director, and a trainer for other early childhood educators. For the past several years she has focused her work and research on assessing quality early childhood programs for health and safety requirements and school readiness skills.

• ForewordDr. Julie Rutland, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Morehead State UniversityPreface Chapter 1: Noticing DifferencesDevelopmental MilestonesWhat the Parent NoticesWhat the Teacher NoticesStory #1 – Sydney’s StoryChapter 2: Assessments and ConferencesThe Purpose of Developmental AssessmentsWhat is in Assessments?How Teachers Share Information with FamiliesStory #2 – Ty’s StoryChapter 3: Referrals and EvaluationsWhat is a Referral?Who Makes Referrals?What is an Evaluation?What Do Evaluation Results Mean?What Options Do You Have After the Evaluation?Story #3 – Emily’s StoryChapter 4: What is a Developmental Delay?TerminologyWhat Conditions are Included?LabelsStory #4 – Preston’s StoryChapter 5: The Burden on the FamilyWhat is Chronic Sorrow?Stages of GriefTraits of Parents Raising Children with Special NeedsBeing the Expert on Your ChildStory #5 – Olivia’s StoryChapter 6: Alphabet Soup: IDEA, IFSP, and IEPIDEAIFSPIEPStory #6 – Samantha’s Story and the Classroom Teacher’s PerspectiveChapter 7: The “New” Special EducationThe Inclusive ModelSee It, Do It, Teach It/ Peer Role ModelsTeam ApproachTherapy in the ClassroomThe Natural EnvironmentStory #7 – Melena’s Story and The Therapist’s PerspectiveChapter 8: The Early Intervention Process The Role of the Developmental InterventionistThe Role of the Classroom TeacherThe Role of the TherapistsThe Role of the FamilySharing Common GoalsStory #8 – Holly’s Story and The Developmental Interventionist’s PerspectiveChapter 10: The Parents’ Roles as AdvocatesWhat Does It Mean to be an Advocate?What Does the World Need to Know About My Child?Speaking Up without Turning People Off

Dr. Sarah Taylor Vanover uses real stories from families and professionals to share the journey of parents who realize their child has a developmental delay. In her step-by-step guide, she helps parents; identify and cope with their feelings, prepare for assessments and conferences, understand terminology and early intervention, be introduced to special education, and foster hope as they learn to become their child’s best advocate.