Talk to your pediatrician if:

• You are concerned about your child’s development – in ANY developmental domain (gross motor, fine motor, speech/language, social-emotional). A referral for further evaluation(s) may be warranted. 
• Your child’s speech is delayed or your child does not seem to respond to noises in a “typical” manner. Ask for an audiologic assessment (hearing test), as this is required prior to a child’s initiation of speech/language therapy and services. 
• You are concerned about your child’s ability to feed him/herself in an age-appropriate manner. Depending on your concerns, a referral for speech/language, occupational, and/or behavioral therapy may be warranted. 
• You are concerned that your child is behind in his/her fine motor skills, has “sensory issues”, or cannot perform age-appropriate “activities of daily living” (ADLs). A referral for occupational therapy may be warranted. 
• You are concerned that your child is behind in his/her gross motor skills, seems to have abnormally high or low muscle tone, or appears to have poor coordination and balance. A referral for physical therapy may be warranted.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is: DON’T DELAY your child’s receipt of whatever therapies, supports and services they need to help them reach their full potential!  YOU are your child’s best advocate.  Voice your concerns and ask for any assistance that is needed. 

Some additional information has been provided below to help you be the better advocate for your child.  We hope you find this information helpful.

Other diagnostic options for children birth to 3 years of age:

Did you know that every state offers an early intervention service? In Texas, this is called Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). This is a FREE service that is offered to families. It includes a developmental assessment (that is typically completed by a therapist) to see if a child qualifies for services. These services are typically provided in the home. Parents may self-refer. For more information, please visit: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/early-childhood-intervention-services

Other diagnostic options for children 3 years of age and above:

Did you know that your child can receive a FREE evaluation through your local school district? This is called a Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) and it is conducted by your school district’s diagnostic team. You, as a parent/caregiver, can request an FIE, however, it must be in writing. For more information, please visit the Navigate Life Texas website: 

https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/education-schools/your-childs-right-to-a-public-education

You can click on the link above to access the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) manual. This manual provides you with much of the information you need to know – regarding how you can request an FIE (see page 38 for a template letter that you can download for free) and what this assessment includes and involves (including the timeline you should expect).

Other diagnostic clinics/centers to consider:

Academic centers usually accept most insurance plans.  The following centers are available in the greater Houston area: 

• The Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism, Texas Children’s Hospital: Address: 8080 N Stadium Drive, Suite 100; Houston, TX 77054  Phone: (832) 822-3400 

Of note: The Meyer Center offers a Wait-List Workshop to help parents access services while their child is waiting for a developmental evaluation. 

• University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, UT Physicians: Address: 6655 Travis Street, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77030 Phone: (713) 500-3600 

• UTMB Galveston, Developmental and Behavioral Health:  Phone: (888)-886-2543

Complex Care Resources:

If your child requires follow up with a “Complex Care” team for the management of multiple medical co-morbidities (for example, your child may have one or more of the following: G-tube, tracheostomy, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, or he/she may be on a ventilator and/or be non-ambulatory), you may consider reaching out to one of the following clinics to help manage your child’s complex medical concerns:

• Texas Children’s Hospital, Complex Care Clinic: Phone: (832) 822-3436 
• UT Physicians High Risk Children’s Clinic: Phone: (832) 325-7196
• UTMB Galveston, Pediatric Complex Care Clinic: Phone: (409) 772-2331