If your child did not qualify for services, they may qualify at a later time.
You probably had a good reason to be concerned, so keep listening to your gut. And keep watching your child's development closely.
Here's what you can do now:
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Watch your child closely as they grow and learn new things. Keep track of how they develop. Take notes or even videos.
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Learn what to look for to make sure your child stays on track. Click here for more about Developmental Milestones. You can look up what your child should be doing at a certain age.
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Talk to other adults who see them regularly: teachers, caretakers, doctors, or other parents. Be open to their opinion of how your child compares with others their age.
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Take your child to regular check-ups and tell the doctor any concerns you have. Click here for advice on how to talk to your child's doctor about your concerns.
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Ask the doctor for a developmental screening and an autism screening. These screenings should be done when your child is 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months old. You will have to fill out a questionnaire about your child, and the doctor will test for certain skills.
If you have any concerns about your child, you need to get them checked out as soon as possible. The earlier a child with a development delay gets help, the more likely they are to catch up.
Click on the link at the bottom of the page to download a 1-page fact sheet for more info on developmental screenings.
See our other Guide: What to Do if Your Child May Be Different. This will help you learn about developmental progress and how to know if your child is off track. It will also tell you where to go for different kinds of support.
Source: CDC