Cognitive Delays
Number of unique resources found: 62
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Dreamms for Kids, Inc. Assistive Technology Solutions
Description: This website provides links to organizations that can assist children with special needs to act and play like regular children. Links to sites with toys, software, assistive equipment, and recreational equipment.
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Description: The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supports the implementation of the early childhood provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The mission is to strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through five) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate, and family-centered supports and services.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
Description: PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth through 21 years old in Minnesota.
Parents can find publications, workshops, and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment, and other services for their children with disabilities. Some resources are available in Spanish and other languages.
Traumatic Brain Injury Resources
Description: Explore further resources about traumatic brain injury from this Web page.
– General Information –
A Parent Guide to Special Education, the IEP Process and School Success
Description: This website provides parent friendly information on special education. It includes sections on special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 504s, Learning Disorders, the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), parent support, and special education terms.
Description: Today, 1 in 170 American children is diagnosed with autism, 1 in 70 boys. It's important to be informed.
This website provides information on early detection, support for families and teachers, and how to get involved.
Building New Dreams: Supporting Parents’ Adaptation to Their Child With Special Needs
Author: Barnett, Douglas; Melissa Clements, Ph.D.; Melissa Kaplan-Estrin, Ph.D.; Janice Fialka
Description: Following a review of research on parent and child functioning when the child has a chronic medical condition, we present an outline of an intervention designed to promote parent and child well-being by focusing on parental adaptation to their child’s condition.
Children With Learning Disabilities (Los Ninos con Problemas del Aprendizaje)
Description: This fact sheet describes some common signs of learning disabilities, causes of learning disabilities, and what steps should be taken if you suspect your child has a learning disability. This publication is also available in Spanish as "Los Ninos con Problemas del Aprendizaje" at http://aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/informacion_para_la_familia/los_ninos_con_problemas_del_aprendizaje_no_16 (1999).
Detecting Early Warning Signs in Children at Risk for Learning Disabilities
Description: This news brief discusses the importance of recognizing and responding to critical early warning signs of learning difficulties in young children.
The report indicates that the basis for the Recognition and Response system can be found in Response to Intervention (RTI), which emphasizes pre-referral prevention and intervention for school-age children who are at risk for learning disabilities. RTI is a promising approach that is currently being used with children in kindergarten through grade 3.
Developing Structured Work Systems for Students with ASD
Author: Hume, K.; S. Odom
Description: This news brief discusses work systems as one effective approach educators can
use to address the unique learning styles and challenges experienced by students with ASD.
An important achievement for all students is the ability to function independently throughout the school day. For students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), activities that other students may find easy, such as transitioning from one location to the next, organizing their learning materials, and completing assigned activities, can be very challenging. A structured work system is a visually organized system designed to promote understanding and clarity for individuals with ASD, giving specific directions about what to do while also providing a systematic work routine.
Description: This fact sheet provides information for those wanting to learn more about developmental delays. Included are a definition of developmental delays, evaluation, characteristics, resources, and organizations. The evaluation needs to look at five developmental areas. Those areas are:
Physical development (fine motor skills, gross motor skills)
Cognitive development (intellectual abilities)
Communication development (speech and language)
Social or emotional development (social skills, emotional control)
Adaptive development (self-care skills)
The results of the developmental evaluation will be used to decide if your child needs early intervention services and/or a treatment plan. Early intervention services are tailored to meet a child’s individual needs and, as such, are a very important resource to children experiencing developmental delays.
Description: This fact sheet provides information for those wanting to learn more about Down Syndrome. Included are a definition of Down Syndrome, incidence of occurance, characteristics, educational implications, resources, and organizations. Also available in Spanish as El SÃndrome de Down at http://nichcy.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/spanish/fs4sp.pdf.
Description: The National Center to Improve Practice has hosted this guided tour through two teachers classrooms that work with disabled children. This site will help professionals and educators to better develop curriculum that caters to children with disabilities.
Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Needs
Description: In an emergency, we all have to plan to be self sufficient, and possibly spend several days without utilities, medical aid or communications. Preparing for an emergency is difficult for any parent, and as a parent caring for a child with special needs, you have extra things to think about.
This website provides information on what to think about as you plan for emergencies and disasters that impact children with special needs.
Description: This fact sheet provides information for those wanting to learn more about epilepsy. Included are a definition, evaluation, characteristics, resources, and organizations.
Also available in html in English at the URL http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/epilepsy and Spanish at the URL http://nichcy.org/espanol/discapacidades/especificas/epilepsia.
First Signs: Red Flags for Autism Spectrum
Description: The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for atypical development, and is in need of an immediate evaluation.
First Signs: Sharing Concerns Parent to Physician 
Description: This fact sheet outlines four important steps for sharing a concern about your child's development with a Physician.
Description: This fact sheet provides brief information about Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). FXS is the most common known cause of intellectual disability (formerly referred to as mental
retardation) that can be inherited, that is passed from parent to child.
The cause of FXS is genetic. FXS occurs when there is a change in a gene on the X chromosome called FMR1. The FMR1 gene makes a protein needed for normal brain development. In FXS, the FMR1 gene does not work properly. The protein is not made, and the brain does not develop as it should. The lack of this protein causes FXS.
Getting Kids Involved: Creating Opportunities for Learning (video)
Description: This video introduces and illustrates many ways in which adaptations within the home or classroom can promote the active involvement of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities in everyday literacy activities.
Healthy Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Description: This Website provides a list of resources, publications, and links for families on a variety of safety and child development topics.
How High/Scope Approach Supports Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Visual Strategies
Author: Rogers, Lisa; Pam DeFoore
Description: This article discusses ways the High/Scope approach uses visual support for children with Autism. The combination of a developmentally appropriate framework and individualized support offers children the greatest possible opportunity for future success.
Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs
Author: Byington, Teresa (9 more by this author)
Description: This fact sheet describes inclusion in early childhood programs. Inclusion is described as well as the need for inclusion in high quality programs and the benefits of inclusion both to the special needs children and to the typically developing children.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Description: This website provides links to information regarding individual education plans. Topics include A Student's Guide to the IEP, Developing an IEP, Documenting Changes in the IEP, Helping Students Develop Their IEP's, IEP Modifications/Adaptation/Support Checklist, Individualized Education Programs - NICHCY Briefing Paper, Sample Letter to the IEP Team, Student Profile Form, What Makes a Good Individual Education Plan for Your Child?, What should You Do When Services Aren't Being Provided?
Description: This fact sheet provides information for those wanting to learn more about intellectual disabilities or mental retardation in children. Included are a definition, causes, diagnosis, incidence of occurrence, signs, educational implications, tips for parents and teachers, resources, and organizations. Also available in Spanish as El Retraso Mental at http://nichcy.org/espanol/discapacidades/especificas/discapacidadesintelectuales.
Intellectual Disability Fact Sheet
Description: This fact sheet provides brief information about the definition and symptoms of intellectual disability, also known as mental retardation. Intellectual disability is a term used when there are limits to a person’s ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life.
Levels of intellectual disability vary greatly in children – from a very slight problem to a very severe problem. Children with intellectual disability might have a hard time letting others know their wants and needs, and taking care of themselves. Intellectual disability could cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than other children of the same age.
Description: This briefing paper defines learning disabilities and discusses how often it occurs in the general population, what are signs of learning disability, how to work with your schools, and tips for parents.
Also available in HTML at http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/ld and Spanish at http://nichcy.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/spanish/fs7sp.pdf (2010).
Description: This information sheet discusses learning disabilities in children. It includes information on warning signs and how to get help if you suspect your child has a learning disability. Early detection and treatment are important.
Description: Learning Disabilities OnLine is the leading website on learning disabilities, learning disorders and differences. Parents and teachers of learning disabled children will find authoritative guidance on attention deficit disorder, ADD / ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dysnomia, reading difficulties, speech and related disorders.
M.A.P. (Making Access Possible) to Inclusion and Belonging
Description: This website and newsletter reflects resources, training, and support for inclusion and belonging for children and youth from ages birth to 21. Their audience is not only child care providers, but also families, those involved with early intervention, preschool, general education, special education, after school programs, and programs for youth and young adults with disabilities.
Description: This is the website for the PEAK Parent Center. The PEAK Parent Center is Colorado's Parent Training and Information Center. PEAK is a statewide organization of parents of children with disabilities reaching out to assist other parents and professionals. The mission of PEAK Parent Center is to ensure that children, youth, and adults with disabilities lead rich, active lives and participate as full members of their schools and communities.
Promoting Language and Literacy Skills in Children with Down Syndrome
Description: This news brief discusses recommendations to improve language and literacy skills in children with down syndrome.
FPG investigators reviewed the existing literature on language skills of individuals with Down syndrome and factors that may influence language development. Based on this review, FPG published recommendations that emphasize the importance of early and continued language and literacy interventions.
Recognizing Developmental Delays in Young Children
Author: Byington, Teresa (9 more by this author)
Description: This fact sheet describes developmental delays in young children. It lists specific things to look for that might indicate concerns, milestones not being reached at the approximate times in development. Brief information is included for Early Intervention Services.
Resource Collection on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
Description: The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Library at Georgetown University has compiled a number of key resources on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), which includes Web sites; fact sheets and brochures; screening, diagnosis, surveillance, intervention, and training tools; prevention-education materials (in both English and other languages), as well as other materials.
Severe and/or Multiple Disabilities
Description: This fact sheet provides information for those wanting to learn more about severe and/or multiple disabilities. Included are a definition, incidence of occurance, characteristics, medical implications, educational implications, resources, and organizations.
Description: This website provides links to information regarding special education plans. Topics include Adaptive Physical Education, Individual Education Plan (IEP), Administration, Laws, Assistive Technology, Occupational Therapy, Behavior Management, Organization, Child Psychology, Professional Literature on Special Education, Conductive Education, Physical Therapy, Disabilities, Special Education Books, Disability Statistics, Special Education Law, Early Intervention, Speech/Language, Inclusion, Support
Steps for Adapting Materials for Use by All Children
Author: Haugen, Kirsten
Description: This chart provides information on how to modify or adapt materials and toys to meet the needs of children with special needs. It includes ideas of things that would work for all children and how to adapt toys and materials you have to accommodate all children's abilities.
Taking the First Step: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
Description: This booklet is for parents who suspect that their child needs help because he or she struggles with learning. It provides information on where to turn for more information, what the law is regarding special supports in school, and other resources.
Talking to Parents about Autism: Action Kit
Description: Today, 1 in 150 American children is diagnosed with autism. As an early childhood educator, you may be the first to notice when a child is not meeting typical developmental milestones. When this happens, you need to talk to the parents and urge them to have their child screened.
Now there are materials available to help you prepare for this important conversation. The Talking to Parents About Autism Action Kit contains the tools you need to initiate this critical dialogue. Having this conversation with parents can make all the difference in a child's life!
Description: This publication discusses parent's feelings when a child is born or becomes disabled. It also includes other resources that will benefit the parents and their child.
The Impact of Childhood Disability: The Parent's Struggle
Author: Moses, Ken
Description: This article is discusses how to work with and help parents who have a child with a disability. It clearly explains all the states a family goes through as they deal with the reality that their child has a disability. The states are explained and suggestions on how you can provide support are included.
"As disability bluntly shatters the dreams, parents face a complicated, draining, challenging, frightening, and consuming task. They must raise the child they have, while letting go of the child they dreamed of. They must go on with their lives, cope with their child as he or she is now, let go of the lost dreams, and generate new dreams. To do all this, the parent must experience the process of grieving."
Also available in pdf at http://www.centerhearingandspeech.org/sites/default/files/Ken%20Moses--Grief%20Article.pdf.
The IRIS Center (IDEA '04 and Research for Inclusive Settings)
Description: Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the IRIS Center at Vanderbilt Peabody College develops training enhancement materials to be used by faculty and professional development providers for the preparation of current and future school personnel. The Center works with experts from across the nation to create challenge-based interactive modules, case study units, and a variety of activities, the purpose of which is to provide research-validated information about working with students with disabilities in inclusive settings. All IRIS materials are available free of charge through the IRIS Web site (http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu).
Description: A website with links and resources for learning, especially for people who learn differently or who have learning difficulties or specific learning disabilities. Beginning in January, 2002, the site has new resources added at least once a week. It has a focus on articles and ideas about reading comprehension and teaching middle, secondary and post-secondary students.
Description: This fact sheet provides information for parents and teachers who are interested in learning more about traumatic brain injury (TBI). Included are a definition of TBI, frequency of occurrence, signs, tips for teachers and parents, resources, and organizations. Also available in Spanish at http://nichcy.org/espanol/discapacidades/especificas/lesioncerebral.
When Your Child With Special Needs Goes to School
Description: Your child deserves appropriate care at school. Working with your child’s care team can help your child stay healthy at school. Your child’s care team may include your child’s doctor, school nurse, principal, teacher and others. Plan ahead with them before your child goes to school. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or share ideas to get the help your child needs.
This website provides information for parents to think about when planning the transition to school. It includes printables of emergency forms, contacts forms, and care notebooks.
– Professional Development –
Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Online Course
Description: The National Professional Development Center on ASD has developed foundational information on Autism Spectrum Disorders including recommended and evidence-based practices for early identification and diagnosis, as well as for intervention and education. This information was originally developed in 2008 as an online course.
They are making the content of this course available to increase knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorders and the challenges individuals with ASD encounter. The content of the course is foundational and is divided among the following eight sessions. Content material for each session can be downloaded as narrative readings and/or PowerPoint presentations with notes.
Promoting Use of Evidence-Based Practices for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author: Hatton, Deborah; Sam Odom
Description: This is a pdf of a powerpoint that was presented at the Council for Exceptional Children conference in 2010.
This presentation provides statistics about the increases in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Resources are provided to assist in the training of practitioners.
Author: Odom, Sam; Ann Cox
Description: This is a pdf of a powerpoint that was presented at the Office of Special Education Program conference in 2010.
Explanations of evidence-based research (EBP), the process used to identify EBP, critera necessary to be considered EBP, examples of EBP, age appropriatenss of each practice, assessment tools, etc. are provided.
The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Description: This is the website for The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a multi-university center to promote the use of evidence-based practice for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The Center operates through three sites that include the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the M.I.N.D. Institute at University of California at Davis Medical School, and the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
The site provides resources such as fact sheets and training modules.
– Programming Resource –
A New Approach to Early Intervention: Virtual Home Visits
Description: This newsletter features a discussion with Sue Thain Olsen and Amy Henningson of the Utah State University's Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD). CPD is doing research on the benefits and challenges of providing early intervention services to families in remote rural areas via virtual home visits. Their research is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children with Disabilities program.
The article provides information on how the program has evolved and the challenges they encountered. The benefits of the program are also included.
Assuring the Family's Role on the Early Intervention Team: Explaining Rights and Safeguards
Author: Hurth, Joicey; Paula Goff
Description: This paper is a synthesis of practices and ideas for explaining procedural safeguards to families, which assure that families are fully informed in ways that support their role in the early interven- tion process. The paper includes a step-by-step model of explaining procedural safeguards that parallels the early intervention process. The authors intend to explore the implications of procedural safeguards for families, but not to analyze the Part C safeguards themselves.
Caring for Children with Special Needs: Developmental Delays
Author: Greenstein, Doreen (13 more by this author)
Description: This fact sheet discusses strategies for including children with developmental delays in child care settings. The author includes references for additional information.
Developmental Delay as an Eligibility Category
Description: This position statement from the Division for Early Childhood defines developmental delays as an eligibility category for services. Using a developmental delay category for the full span of the early childhood years facilitates a broader, whole-child perspective for intervention. This perspective can focus on the child’s needs and the identification of services to meet those needs in developmentally appropriate ways.
DEC encourages the use of the category within states and by local school districts. DEC also encourages states to consider the use of a single or aligned state definition of developmental delay for preschool children served under Section 619 of Part B and for infants and toddlers served under Part C of IDEA.
Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Learning Module Available)
Description: The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) recently posted a new on-line module on the early identification of ASD. The module comes with videos (including home movies of babies who later develop ASD), case studies and other resources.
This module will first address the importance of early identification, including the benefits and challenges to families, communities, and society. Then the focus will shift to describing the early characteristics of ASD as described in the DSM-IV and a recommended set of practices that will lead to early identification of ASD. This includes a description of surveillance, screening, and diagnostic assessment practices along with the tools and processes that will assist professionals in communicating with families about their young child’s status relative to ASD. This module will end by providing information about national resources and initiatives committed to early identification for the purpose of follow up and referral to services, resources, and supports.
How High/Scope Approach Supports Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Visual Strategies
Author: Rogers, Lisa; Pam DeFoore
Description: This article discusses ways the High/Scope approach uses visual support for children with Autism. The combination of a developmentally appropriate framework and individualized support offers children the greatest possible opportunity for future success.
Author: Dworkin, Paul; Joanna Bogin; Marijane Carey; Kareena Duplessis; Lisa Hoingfield; Rebecca Hernandez; Marcia Hughes
Description: The Commonwealth Fund has released a new online manual, How to Develop a Statewide System to Link Families with Community Resources (2010), which offers guidance for exploring, creating, and/or enhancing an easily accessible system for connecting children with or at risk for developmental or behavioral problems with community resources. The material is based on Connecticut's Help Me Grow initiative.
Inclusion Works! Creating Child Care Programs That Promote Belonging for Children with Special Needs
Author: Brault, Linda (1 more by this author)
Description: Inclusion Works! is a publication of the California Department of Education Child Development Division. The focus is on “creating child care programs that promote belonging for children with special needs.” In the book you’ll find strategies for inclusion and real life examples of those strategies for children ages birth to 12 included in various programs and settings.
Author: Brault, Linda (1 more by this author)
Description: This website includes resources to use for presenting Inclusion Works! Creating Child Care Programs That Promote Belonging for Children with Special Needs from the CA Dept of Education.
Building on research and the experience of years of effective implementation, this handbook contains stories and examples, as well as background information and resources that support strategies for successful inclusion. Suggestions for ways to adapt the environment are provided, along with examples of inclusive strategies. A glossary and appendixes make this handbook a practical tool for care providers.
A link is available to download or order the handbook.
Description: The Web site for the Let's Play! Projects provides information on the use of assistive technology to bring more play to the lives of children with disabilities. Visit the resource library with downloadable materials or get specific assistive technology product information.
Meeting Learning Challenges: Working With Children Who Have Developmental Delays
Author: Greenspan, Stanley
Description: Stanley I. Greenspan, MD, writes this article for Scholastic to support teachers and caregivers who work with young children who have learning challenges. He provides general suggestions and specific ideas for different types/causes of delays.
North Carolina Technical Assistance Preschool Project
Description: This project was formerly called the Partnerships for Inclusion is based in North Carolina. The project provides training and consultations to support the inclusion of young children with disabilities. This Web site provides information about PFI services, products, training, people, and funders.
SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library
Description: The SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library supports the inclusion of young children with disabilities birth–five and their families, in early care and education settings. The SpecialQuest materials and approach have been used with over 5,000 participants nationwide, refined over the past ten years, and have been shown to create and sustain change. SpecialQuest Birth-Five provides these materials at no cost with funding from the Office of Head Start. May be used as professional development or inservice training for staff.
Materials include short videos, training scripts and handouts, and other materials for both early childhood programs and home visitation programs. Some are available in Spanish and other languages.
Description: This publication discusses parent's feelings when a child is born or becomes disabled. It also includes other resources that will benefit the parents and their child.
– Research –
Detecting Early Warning Signs in Children at Risk for Learning Disabilities
Description: This news brief discusses the importance of recognizing and responding to critical early warning signs of learning difficulties in young children.
The report indicates that the basis for the Recognition and Response system can be found in Response to Intervention (RTI), which emphasizes pre-referral prevention and intervention for school-age children who are at risk for learning disabilities. RTI is a promising approach that is currently being used with children in kindergarten through grade 3.
Developing Structured Work Systems for Students with ASD
Author: Hume, K.; S. Odom
Description: This news brief discusses work systems as one effective approach educators can
use to address the unique learning styles and challenges experienced by students with ASD.
An important achievement for all students is the ability to function independently throughout the school day. For students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), activities that other students may find easy, such as transitioning from one location to the next, organizing their learning materials, and completing assigned activities, can be very challenging. A structured work system is a visually organized system designed to promote understanding and clarity for individuals with ASD, giving specific directions about what to do while also providing a systematic work routine.
Personnel Certification and Specialized Service Providers for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author: Danaher, Joan; Alex Lazara; Evelyn Shaw
Description: This news brief discusses information collected from state Part C and Section 619 coordinators regarding certification or endorsements for personnel working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder1 (ASD) and how states provide services for children diagnosed with ASD.
- More about "Personnel Certification and Specialized Service Providers for Autism Spectrum Disorders"
Promoting Language and Literacy Skills in Children with Down Syndrome
Description: This news brief discusses recommendations to improve language and literacy skills in children with down syndrome.
FPG investigators reviewed the existing literature on language skills of individuals with Down syndrome and factors that may influence language development. Based on this review, FPG published recommendations that emphasize the importance of early and continued language and literacy interventions.
Screening and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author: Shaw, Evelyn; Deborah Hatton
Description: This news brief discusses information collected from state Part C and Section 619 coordinators regarding screening measures, diagnostic instruments and procedures, and trends in identifying young children with ASD under the age of five years.