Finding the Support Your Child Needs
A Summary of Therapists Working with Developmental Disabilities

Finding the proper therapists to support their children’s development is one of the greatest contributions the parents of a child with special need can make to their child’s life. Often, however, this is much easier said than done. If you are attempting to access therapists for a child with developmental disabilities, the following information will help get you started off on the right foot.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, developmental disabilities are “a diverse group of severe conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments.” There is a broad range of developmental disabilities, but, much as their name implies, the one thing they all have in common is that they delay the development of independent living skills in an individual, such as mobility, language, learning and self-care. Some developmental disabilities that you may be familiar with include:

• Autism
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Hearing loss
• Mental retardation
• Vision loss/impairment

Due to the broad range of developmental disabilities, a broad range of therapists may be employed to work with children who have been diagnosed with these special needs. Every child will require his or her own combination of therapists and therapies, but there are certain types of therapists who most commonly work with children with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. These therapists include:

• Occupational Therapists – support general development and the acquisition of “every day” life skills such as dressing, eating and bathing.
• Physical Therapists – encourage mobility, general muscle tone and overall health.
• Psychotherapists – provide mental and emotional support and also may engage in cognitive behavioral therapy (learning how to direct emotions and reactions).
• Sensory Integration Therapists – devise methods of living with hypersensitivities to sensations (touch, taste, sound, etc.).
• Speech Therapists – assess, diagnose and treat speech, language and other verbal communication difficulties.

Virginia Scanlon of Verona, N.J., the mother of a teenaged daughter with cognitive and physical developmental disabilities, reminds all parents that they are the best advocates for their children. “Parents should observe, research and ask questions if they notice a delay or unusual situation with their child’s development,” she says.

This may mean speaking with the child’s pediatrician, requesting a conference with teachers and aides or requesting a formal assessment. All of these scenarios should be easily accommodated, and parents should never feel guilty about these requests.

“If parents have concerns about developmental disabilities, they can ask their child’s school to evaluate their child at any time,” says Kathleen Sweeney, an early childhood and special education teacher in the Arlington, Mass., public school system.

Sweeney explains that the teachers themselves will not determine what type of support the child receives, but, rather, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be coordinated by a team consisting most likely of the parents, teachers, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a psychologist.* These specialists might not all be included in the IEP meeting, but their input may be solicited. Parents are always allowed to attend and participate in these meetings.

As you may have noticed, your child’s school and medical systems are often the entry point for accessing therapists working with developmental disabilities. To make sure you understand your child’s entitlements, formally request literature from your child’s school district and consider speaking with teachers, counselors and school administrators to confirm how to access therapists for your child.

Always formally request assessments or support in writing, and be sure to take notes during all meetings and telephone calls. Contacting a nearby children’s hospital or child psychologist is another avenue toward accessing therapists. No matter which route you take, however, do your homework so you know what you want, why you want it and how you hope to get it.

Assessing and accessing therapists to work with children with developmental disabilities can be a long and arduous journey, but it is one at which parents must prevail. Remember that you are the expert on your own child, and you are also the person responsible for his or her well-being.

Before demanding services, take the time to observe your child, research your observations, form your remaining questions and confer with medical and educational experts. By calmly and seriously discussing these matters with other professionals, you will begin to form a team of advocates for your child that will last for years.

• Making the Most of Your Child’s IEP Meeting