INFANTS AND TODDLERS
The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities believes in helping every child get the best possible start in life and that start begins with Early Intervention. EI focuses on the early development of children from birth to the age of three who have developmental disabilities or delays. Services are family-centered, community-based and responsive to the interests, priorities and needs of the family.
The Early Intervention Specialist works with the family. She will conduct assessments and explain the process every step of the way. The EI specialist also encourages the child’s development through play and other activities. Home visits, play groups at the Early Childhood Center and various therapies provided by licensed professionals are in the array of services offered.
Early Intervention is a component of the Help Me Grow system, a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Health, the lead agency in the HMG system.
For information about Early Intervention services provided through BCBDD, call 740-695-0460, ext. 302.
A Guide to Your Child’s Development
This guide from the Ohio Department of Health shows the normal signs of growth in a young child. Many children develop faster than this. Those who develop different than this may be children who have special needs now.
If you have questions about your child’s development, contact the Belmont County Help Me Grow office at 740-695-5000 for a free developmental screening or additional information.
One Month
Raises head slightly off floor or bed when lying on stomach.
Holds head up briefly when supported
Briefly watches and follows object with eyes
Avoids mildly annoying sensations (placement of cloth on face)
Some “noise in throat” sounds
Two Months
Holds head erect, bobbing, when supported in sitting position
Follows moving person with eyes
Imitates or responds to smiling person with occasional smile
Vocalizes
Three Months
Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach
Vigorous body movement
Head control is improving
Recognizes bottle or breast
Coos
Chuckles
Four Months
Good head control
Rolls from side to side
Takes object, such as a rattle, held near hand
May begin reaching
Following moving object when held in sitting position
Laughs aloud
Enjoys play
Six Months
Sits with minimal support
Rolls from back to stomach
Transfers objects from hand to hand and from hand to mouth
Babbles – more than 2 sounds.
Nine Months
Sits alone – changes position without falling
Plays with two objects at the same time
Says Ma-ma – Ba ba
One Year
Pulls self to standing – may step with support
Picks things up with thumb and one finger
Stacks 2 blocks
Gives toys on request
Gives affection
Follows simple directions accompanied by gestures
May say two or three words
Fifteen Months
May walk without support
Stacks 3 blocks
Vocalizes – voice up and down sounds like conversation
May say 4 or 5 words
Some self feeding
Eighteen Months
Walks – may run a bit
Climbs up or down one step
Likes pull toys
Likes being read to
Makes marks with crayon on paper or table
Partially feeds self
May say 5-10 words
Two Years
Kicks large ball
Turns pages (2 or 3 at a time)
Imitates housework
Recognizes familiar picture – knows if it is upside down
Asks for items by name
Uses two or three words together such as “more juice”
Three Years
Walks upstairs
Stands briefly on one foot
Rides tricycle
Feeds self
Opens doors
Verbalizes toilet needs
Four Years
Hops in place
Throws ball over head, catches ball bounced to him
Copies circle
Points to six basic colors
Knows own sex, age, last name
Begins to play with other children
Uses sentences
Washes hands
Five Years
Walks backward heel-toe
Runs on tiptoe
Prints a few capital letters
Recognizes own printed name
Cuts food with knife
Plays with others
Answers verbally to “Hi” and “How are you?”
Laces shoes