Looking for a Book Identifying Cognitive Developmental Markers

Hi M.-

I'm sure all of the mom's on this site will have some wonderful books to recommend. If you haven't already, try looking at the PBS development chart. I have a son with Asperger's so I have used it quite a bit to make sure he's on track. It breaks everything down by age up to 8 years old and provides suggested activities for reinforcing and learning new skills.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/childdevelopmenttracker/index....

Good Luck!
K.

You can have him tested for free by your public school district.

Blessings~C.

M., I would start with a check up at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Austin. They would probably know all the resources available in the area. You will no doubt need a doctor for him. They probably have some programs there you can participate in. Does your grandson have medical coverage through his father? http://www.dellchildrens.net Then check in with the school system they should have some great suggestions for you. God Bless. L.

I live in Austin, but the ARC of central Texas or Austin/Travis County MHMR is where one would start here to get resources and help for a person with special needs. If your grandson is not in school, get him to the nearest elementary school and have him evaluated for services. He will qualify for preschool as well as all the therapies that may help him (OT, PT, speech, etc.) and you will suddenly have a whole team of educators working with you and giving you ideas for his appropriate development.
My son has special needs and started school at age 3, after going through the ECI program in our area which he started at 9 months old. We have been so lucky to have had such wonderful therapists and now teachers to help me help my son be the best he can be.
My next advice to you is that once you get started with what help is best for your grandson now, to stop reading about what milestones he "should" be reaching and just focus on his own personal growth. It's very hard to watch a child struggle, or just be slow and steady, but looking at what he is not will only depress you. Or at least it did me, so now it's not about my child "catching up", but just doing what is best for him with every effort. My son has Opitz syndrome with moderate MR and is turning 6 soon and learned to say "Santa", "Merry Christmas", and "cookie" this year in time for the holidays. Such a charmer he is! :)
Enjoy your sweet boy! Best wishes.

Have you contacted your local school board to see what programs are available for special needs children? There are resources available but you have to be the aggressor to find them. Use the internet. Have you contacted the C.P. association in your area? They would probably be your best source of information.

I know you didn't ask or mention anything about your grandson's speech. However, you mentioned resources and that you were new to the area. I don't know if you are aware or not but if your grandson has speech issues or you think that he might- he can get speech therapy through the local school district for free.(In the state of Texas) You would need to contact your district and find out what you need to do in order to get your grandson evaluated. I am a teacher and thought I would share that with you. Also, you might want to check out the website www.babycenter.com it has great resources as well as charts. It has info for all ages not just babies.
Good Luck!

I am just slightly familiar with an Early Childhood Intervention Program from being a former pre-school teacher. I know they have great resources and free help but their program only goes up to age 3, but their website recommends if you have older children to call the Dept of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) at 800 628-5115. They also mention contacting the Texas Education Agency to inquire about Special Education Services and their Austin number is listed as ###-###-####. I hope those are helpful or at least good leads to get you everything you need and even more than you expected. May God bless you.

N.

Kudos to you!!!! I also recommend babycenter.com, there's an area where you enter you child's date of birth and email and they send you email periodically and the emails let you know what your child should be discovering and doing according to his age. Blessings to you and your son for what you both do!!!

I don't have anything to add regarding your request but I wanted to mention what an amazing woman you must be. Reading your 'about me statement' blew me away. Raising a grandchild with a disability without the parents in the picture (for now) must be challenging. What would that little boy do without his wonderful grandma? Bless you!

I have a great website you could look into for speech-language developmental milestones:

www.speechlanguagemilestones.blogspot.com

At the bottom of the screen there is a checklist.

Hope this helps.

Hi M.,

I am new to the area also but the first resource that came to mind when I read your post was Easter Seals. I am from San Antonio and have a good friend there who works for Easter Seals. She goes into homes and evaluates children with developmental delays, then gives recommendations for therapies and teaching strategies to help the child live up to his/her full potential. You might want to give the local chapter a call...I'm sure if they aren't the right ones to help you, they can point you in the right direction. Best of luck to you, your son and grandson!!