Developmental and Behavior Concerns

Evaluation and services when a provider or caregiver has developmental, behavioral, or mental health concerns.

Follow three steps when there are concerns about a child’s development and/or behavior: 1.Contact the child’s health care provider; 2. Make a Help Me Grow referral, and 3. Contact an Early Childhood Mental Health Provider and/or other supportive programs. All three steps can happen at the same time.

MEDICAL EVALUATION

1. Contact the child’s health care provider
Make sure the child’s primary healthcare provider knows about the concerns and can provide a comprehensive medical evaluation.

Health Care Providers/Clinics

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 developmental/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. If you do not have a health care provider or clinic, contact your C&TC coordinator for help (use the drop-down box to select your county or tribe).

EARLY INTERVENTION / EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION

2. Make a Help Me Grow referral for an early intervention/educational evaluation
Local school districts provide early intervention or special education services, free to the family, for children who are eligible (birth through 5 years). To see if a child is eligible for services, click on the link below to use the Help Me Grow referral form. A referral can be made by a parent, any professional, or family members and others who have concerns about the child.

Help Me Grow Referral Form

The referral will be directed to the local school district based on the child’s address. An early childhood specialist from the school district will follow up with the family within 7-10 days to discuss next steps, which may include a screening or evaluation. If you have questions, contact your local Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program directly:

• For children birth through 2 years of age - local ECSE programs
• For children 3 through 5 years of age - local ECSE programs
• For children in kindergarten and higher grades

Referral Form for Help Me Grow

To find out more about your local ECSE program directly, search the links below.

Local ECSE programs for children birth to 2 years of age

Local ECSE programs for children 3 to 5 years of age