Birth to Three Services
Birth to three programs exist throughout the country to improve the cognitive, physical, communication, social and emotional skills of children. All children, regardless of their family income, can qualify for these programs. Birth to three services help children with developmental disabilities and delays receive the services to improve their skills. Families and caregivers are also taught strategies and skills to help their little one develop.
What kind of development is addressed through birth to three programs?
Cognitive – learning, problem solving
Communication – speech/language, hearing
Gross motor – crawling, walking
Fine motor – grasping
Social/emotional – playing with others
Adaptive skills – feeding, dressing, toileting
What kinds of professionals provide birth to three services?
Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, developmental therapists, and early children educators team together to provide services for children in their home or daycare. Depending on the need, the child may receive services from some or many of these professionals.
How do I know if my child is eligible?
Talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns about your child’s development. A child is automatically eligible if s/he has a diagnosis resulting in a high probability of developmental delay. A child in the state of Wisconsin may also qualify if s/he has a 25% delay in one area of development.
How much does it cost?
Wisconsin uses Parental Cost Share Program to fund birth to three services. Using a formula that factors in family income and household size, the birth to three agency will determine your family’s share for services. Families could be responsible fro $0-1800/year out of pocket for the services. Health insurance that your family has may be used; however, co-payments and deductibles typically still apply.
Who do I contact?
Each county administers the birth to three program in the state of Wisconsin. Ask your pediatrician for more information or look up who administers services in your county.
If you have concerns about your child’s speech-language development, contact your pediatrician or SpeechWorks at 262-490-5653.
Jann Fujimoto, MS CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and owner of SpeechWorks LLC, a provider of on-site speech therapy in Delafield, Pewaukee, Hartland, Dousman, Watertown, Oconomowoc and Ixonia. SpeechWorks helps children become confident communicators and empowers parents to be advocates for their children.