Screening and Characteristics
People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience a range of characteristics and symptoms. Some people may have noticeable characteristics, others may not. Autism may be identified as early as 18 to 24 months but can be diagnosed at any age. Screening and identification will help increase access to services and supports.
Why is early identification or obtaining a medical diagnosis important?
- To gain access to funding and services: Having a formal medical/ clinical diagnosis opens up the door to accessing services and reducing financial burden.
- To help others better understand how to support the person: Understanding how a person thinks and learns may help parents, teachers, co-workers and others understand better ways to communicate with the person, what support they might need and what their strengths are.
- To help you better understand what supports you might need and how to advocate for yourself.
Early Years (Birth to 5)
Developmental milestones
Although every child is unique and will learn and grow at their own pace, children are expected to develop in similar ways. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.). Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Keeping track of developmental milestones will allow you to:
· Support your child as they grow.
· Identify right away if they may need extra help to learn.
DO NOT WAIT! Early intervention programs can make a big difference.
The first step: Pathway to learning, playing, and growing provides a summary of key developmental milestones that babies and toddlers should be achieving. It also has tips, tools and guidance to help our child’s development. In addition, it describes what intended to be shared during home visits and in clinics. Childcare and pre-school settings.
Birth to 3 Months
· Coos, cries, and gurgles
· Follows movement or turns head towards sounds.
· Quiets to familiar voice or touch
Ø Tips: Hold, cuddle, hug and rock your baby. Talk, read, and sing songs to them.
4-6 Months
· Babbles, squeals, and laughs
· Rolls over and sit up on their own.
· Respond to own name by smiling or turning head.
· Begin to recognize faces.
Ø Tips: When your baby starts to smile and babble, respond back! They are trying to talk with you and want you to talk back.
7-9 Months
· Imitates gestures, sounds, actions and facial expressions.
· Creeps and crawls
· Gestures by pointing or waving.
· Notices you, looks at you often, and easily turns to you when you talk or gesture.
· Looks where you are looking or pointing.
Ø Tips: Play simple games like patty cake and peek-a-boo. Point out and name pictures in books.
12 Months
· Pulls themselves up to stand.
· Walks alone.
· Starting to say single words.
· Shows interest in other children.
· Enjoys taking turns and exchanging objects.
· Gets you to notice them and the things they are interested in.
Ø Tips: Allow others to support you in your journey and ask for help in needed.
18 Months
· Runs and kicks.
· Points to pictures in books.
· Plays beside other children.
· Using 2-3 words together.
· Combines words, gestures, and looking together when talking to others.
· Points to show others something interesting.
Ø Tips: Continue regular check-ups and ask the doctor for a developmental screening if you have a concern.
2 Years
· Builds small block towers and puzzles.
· Uses 3-4 word sentences.
· Uses words and phrases to share interest and have short conversations with you.
· Shows concern or affection for others.
· Plays make believe with dolls and animals.
· Follows simple instructions.
Ø Tips: Be patient with your child, you are learning together. Color with them and encourage them to start trying to do more things on their own.
If you have concerns that your child is not meeting important developmental milestones, make an appointment with your child’s primary care doctor for an evaluation. You can also call your insurance company using the number on the back of your member ID card to receive a referral or find evaluation providers and other services in your network.
Developmental and Behavior Concerns
Evaluation and services when a provider or caregiver has developmental, behavioral, or mental health concerns.
Medical Evaluation
Make sure the child’s primary healthcare provider knows about the concerns and can provide a comprehensive medical evaluation:
Health care providers can check for health conditions or refer to specialists if needed.
· If the child already has a clinic, the next step is to schedule an appointment for a well visit or evaluation of development/behavioral concerns.
· For children covered by Medical Assistance, well-child checkups (medical and dental) called Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC), are free for newborns through age 20 years old. For children covered by other health insurance, contact member services to find a clinic near you where the well-child visit may be paid for by your health insurance.
Early Intervention/Comprehensive Evaluation
The EIDBI benefit provides therapy for children, youth and young adults under the age of 21 who meet eligibility criteria. To determine eligibility, make a referral to a Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary provider. Participants may be enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (MA-TEFRA) or other qualifying health care programs.
Facilities serving Itasca County
2Care4u LLC-Grand Rapids
2 Care 4 U
1107 NW 4th St.
Grand Rapids, MN. 55744
Ph: 218-326-0095
Website: https://www.4uhhc.com
CORE Professional Services, P.A.
Sartell Office
110 14th Ave. E.
Sartell, MN. 56377
Ph: 320-202-1400
Email: sccore@coretreatment.com
Website: http://www.coreprofessionalservices.co/index.html
Minnesota Autism Center
Minnesota Autism Center- Corporate Office
5868 Baker Rd.
Minnetonka, MN. 55345
Ph: 952-767-4200
Website: https://www.mnautism.org
Autism Society of Minnesota
2380 Wycliff St. Ste. 102
St. Paul, MN. 55114
Ph: 651-647-1083
Email : info@ausm.org
Website: https://www.ausm.org
Early Intervention/Educational Evaluation
Local school districts provide early intervention or special education services, free to the family, for children who are eligible. The first step to determine eligibility is an educational referral.
Early Intervention/ Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
To see if a child (birth through 5 years) is eligible for early childhood special education services (ECSE), Please call 1-886-693-GROW (4769) or complete a referral form online at: https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/Refer/index.html A referral can be made by a parent, any professional, or family members and others who have concerns about the child. The child’s local school district ECSE program will follow up with the family within 7-10 days to discuss next steps, which may include a screening or evaluation.
In addition to health and educational evaluation, consider referring young children (infancy-5 years) and their families to qualified mental health professionals.
Early childhood Mental Health Agencies
Early childhood mental health professionals can work with parents and families to assess and treat trauma, emotional or behavioral concerns of babies, toddlers, and young children.
Ø Stepping Stones Child and Family Services, LLC
214 NW 1st Ave. Ste C
Grand Rapids, MN. 55744
Ph: 218-301-9122
Ø Childrens Mental health Services
35382 US Hwy 2
Grand Rapids, MN. 55744
Ph: 218-327-4886
Fx: 218-327-4848
Email: intake@cmhsreach.org
Website: http://www.cmhsreach.org/
Ø Ellie Family Services
217 NW 1st. Ave.
Grand Rapids, MN. 55744
Ph: 651-313-8080
Fx: 651-925-0610
Email: info@elliementalhealth.com
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Childrens Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS)
Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) is a flexible range of mental health and rehabilitation services for children and youth (birth – 21 years) who need varying levels of intervention services in their homes or elsewhere in the community. CTSS combines therapy with skills training to support children in reaching their appropriate developmental and social functioning levels. Individual goals are set so children and families are able to see measurable progress and services are delivered using various treatment modalities that are child/family specific.
The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health provides education and resources to professionals, families and youth throughout Minnesota and beyond. Resources include mental health fact sheets, publications, traumatic event resources, a toolkit for healing-centered practice, etc. Opportunities for continued education include free pop-up trainings, seasonal training series, Infant/Early Childhood and Children’s Mental Health conferences, on-demand trainings, and reflective consultation groups.
Get connected with resources, information and other parents who understand what you are going through