With Our Programs, You Get it All
We believe we can help you help your child grow. That's why our work includes a collection of services designed to minimize your distractions, so you can focus on learning how to support your child well. Our expert, caring team is with you every step of the way.
Family Training/Coaching
In the long run, the biggest difference in a child's life is your ability to help them grow. Every week, we'll model techniques that fit your child's unique needs, and we'll include you so you can easily repeat them.
Here's what our coaching is like:
- we come where the child is.
- we learn through play.
- we start with what you have.
- we help you see why it works.
"When you have a child with special needs, it can be a lonely place sometimes. Having my EI there to support me with my son has been invaluable. Deidre has never made me feel like I was a bother, and was always there to talk with me!"
— Yolanda Holmes
flip backOngoing Assessment
We're planning for your child to grow stronger. Every six months, we make an assessment so we can see just how much he's improved.
Assessments help all of us:
- make better coaching decisions
- get encouraged
- gather everyone's input in one place
- get smarter about your child
"The assessments have been particularly helpful, so I can see where my child is currently, and where she needs to grow to meet her milestones."
— Lori
flip backTransition to School Services
When your child turns 2 1/2, we begin helping you both make the transition to receiving their services through the school district. BabyNet's services end at age 3, so we want you all to be ready.
We help you:
- Coordinate school district testing
- Understand your eligibility
- Transition to the pre-school special educational program
"Having our Early Interventionist by my side, as an advocate for my son, was an integral part of making the transition to pre-school easier. Christy helped me on an emotional level, and helped me to know I was doing the right thing."
— Andrea Green
flip backService Coordination
We know you feel overwhelmed. We're going to be your point person, and we'll make sure you get access to everything you need.
We'll coordinate:
- other therapies
- community, state, and federal resources
- assistive technologies
- audiology services
- vision services
- paperwork for daycare
- parent support groups / training
- preschool options
"The service coordination we received has been invaluable. The resources available to children with special needs can be overwhelming. Rather than making four phone calls to coordinate Michael's therapies, I only needed to make one, to our Early Interventionist, Valerie."
— Michelle Hart
flip backDevelopmental Activities
It may sound hard to believe, but children learn through play. That's good news for us.
We use crafts and developmental activities to:
- work on language skills
- work on gross or fine motor skills
- work on a child's understanding
- help you weave your child's growth into everyday activities
"The one-on-one time we had with our Early Interventionist, Katy, was especially valuable. In just one year with Ahead Start our child went from being able to say only 2-3 words with no meaning behind them, to speaking 6 months ahead of his development level."
— Brianne Pochard
flip backResearch Help
Our team of Early Interventionists is about as expert as they get. But we also know that every child has unique challenges. That's why we often commit to doing extra research to serve you better.
If you'd ever like to know more — or like us to know more — just ask.
in their words
"Our Early Interventionist has helped us by doing extra research on development for our twins. We are now more knowledgeable as parents about what to be looking for and what we can do with the girls—things we wouldn't have known ourselves."
- Lindsay
flip backInfant / Child Massage
Our families love this. So do the children!
Massage can provide wonderful benefits, such as:
- calmness and focus
- building muscle tone
- tummy troubles
- language development
- a safe way to play with a newborn
"Infant massage has helped me provide calm and peace to my son Solomon in a different way. I now know where to start, and the handouts are really helpful for me to refer back to."
— Shoaleh Young
flip backPlay Groups
Every month, our families get together for a play group. Meet other families at a different location each time, and watch your child grow.
In the past play groups have included:
- George the Train
- Back to School Bash
- Valentine's Social
- Visit to the Library
- Santa Claus
"Ahead Start's play groups are offered once a month, and they are a lot of fun. We have even met other parents who have children with similar difficulties as Jackson."
— Russ and Jennifer Ohlrogge
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