The Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities partners with local organizations to host these free events! All parents are encouraged to bring their children, birth through 5 years of age.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or would just like a checkup, this is a great opportunity! There will be Developmental Specialists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Nutritionists, Audiologists and Social Workers there to complete the screenings and answer your questions. Our Early Intervention Team and Help Me Grow Home Visiting Team will also be there to meet you, along with representatives from Allen County Preschool and Lima City Preschool.
Not sure what to expect?
It’s easy! The screening is set up in stations, arranged by areas of development. You can visit all the stations or choose the ones you’d like your child to visit. There are three simple steps:
Step 1: Register
You can register at the event, but it’s even more convenient to pre-register! Just call Samantha at 419-221-0014 ext. 2080, and she’ll gather all of your information. Then, your screening folder will be ready for you at the Registration Table on February 7. Please remember: children must be accompanied by a parent.
Step 2: Visit the stations
It takes about one hour to complete all the stations. When it’s your child’s turn, you and your child will participate. This may include answering questions, observing your child, or asking your child to complete simple tasks. Our professionals work with children every day, and they know how to make the experience fun. During each screening, you can ask the professionals any questions you have!
These are the stations:
Nutrition: Nutritionists from WIC will talk with you about your child’s weight, height, and eating habits.
Gross Motor Skills: Physical Therapists will screen the development of your child’s large muscles; tasks will include crawling, walking, jumping, and climbing stairs.
Fine Motor Skills: Occupational Therapists will screen the development of your child’s small muscles; tasks will include eating, buttoning, and picking up items.
Autism: If you have concerns about autism, you can talk to a Developmental Specialist and complete a simple checklist.
Hearing: An Audiologist will complete a hearing screening.
Vision: Members from the Lion’s Club and a local Ophthalmologist will screen your child’s vision.
Communication: A Speech Therapist will screen your child in receptive and expressive communication.
Social Skills: You can talk with a professional about your child’s behavior and learn what is and is not typical behavior.
Step 3: Review the results
This is an important step. We’ll review all your child’s screening results with you. If there are identified concerns, our professionals will tell you about the services and resources available. This way, your child can get help early and start school healthy and ready to learn.
We will mail your child’s results to you, and we can mail them to your pediatrician or preschool if you request it.
For just one hour of your time, you can speak to a variety of experts and professionals about your child’s development – and it’s free!
You don’t want to miss this! Last year, we screened more than 100 children!