Clinical Services

Early Steps

Early Steps offers early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) with significant delays or a condition that places them at risk of developmental delay. Early Steps provides families or caregivers with services to enhance their child's development so they are ready to learn when they enter school. For Early Steps services there will not be a charge, or they will be covered by insurance or Medicaid if applicable.

Early Steps helps infants and toddlers who have special needs to be:

• Involved in as many of their family's daily activities as possible,
• Supported in participating in community activities,
• Included in playing and learning with children without disabilities on a regular basis.

Children can be referred for an Early Steps evaluation by calling 813-974-0602. A service coordinator will work with your family throughout the eligibility process. If your child is eligible, a thorough assessment will be made of your child's skills and abilities. In addition, an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) will be designed just for your family with expected outcomes and goals based on your child's development.

More information on the Early Steps Program can be found at http://www.cms-kids.com

*This information was adapted from the Early Steps Intervention Services-A handbook for parents (2005).

NICU/Neuro-developmental Clinic

In this clinic we provide developmental and medical assessments of high-risk infants. A developmental team, including a pediatric neurologist, will evaluate the neurological status and developmental milestones of the infant and determine whether intervention services are necessary.

School-Age Clinics

These clinics provide services for children ages 3-12 in the following areas:

ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment- This clinic provides comprehensive evaluations for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by a pediatric neurologist and a school/clinical psychologist. The evaluation will consist of collecting data from a number of sources to include the parents or caregivers and the classroom teacher or other professionals that know the child well. These evaluations typically require 2 -3 visits before diagnosis and treatment are provided.

Behavioral Assessment and Management - This clinic provides comprehensive evaluations for a number of childhood behavioral problems including behavioral problems in the home and school/community settings. These may include: anxiety, depression, conduct problems, aggressive behaviors, oppositional defiant disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and children with developmental delays. The evaluation will consist of collecting data from a number of sources to include the parents or caregivers and the classroom teacher or other professionals that know the child well. These evaluations typically require 2 -3 visits before diagnosis and treatment are provided.

Psycho-educational Evaluations and Testing- We provide psychoeducational testing for children who are experiencing learning problems in school. This testing will assist the parent in obtaining appropriate educational services in the school setting. These evaluations typically consist of cognitive testing (IQ), achievement testing, and assessment of behavioral/adaptive functioning. Data are collected from a number of sources to include the parents or caregivers and the classroom teacher or other professionals that know the child well. These evaluations typically require 2 -3 visits before diagnosis and treatment are provided.