Children are able to receive a number of disability services in Illinois. Here are some of the most important ones:

Physicians and Specialists

Your child’s pediatrician may be the first to suspect a developmental delay. Physicians should refer parents to early intervention services as soon as possible. Remember, as always, if you are not satisfied with your doctor’s diagnosis, seek a second opinion. A referral to a specialist is often needed to identify a medical or developmental disability.

Listed below are some other medical professionals who can diagnose and/or confirm a disability and/or make recommendations for treatment.

  1. Ear, Nose & Throat Doctors – diagnose and treat hearing problems, adenoids, tonsils, ear implants and sinus.
  2. Pediatric Ophthalmologists – diagnose and treat vision problems and specializes in diseases of the eye in children.
  3. Cardiologists – A physician who specializes in diseases of the heart.
  4. Audiologist – A specialist who can diagnose and treat hearing problems such as Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Auditory processing is what a person does when the ear receives an auditory message and the central nervous system extracts the meaning from that message, eventually, putting meaning to the message. It is a multi-level process involving the inner ear, central nervous system and brain.
  5. Gastroenterologist – A physician who specializes in diseases of the stomach and intestinal tract.
  6. Pediatric Neurologist – A physician who specializes in diseases of the nervous system with special consideration given to children. These physicians could order an electroencephalography (EEG), a recording of the brain waves to detect seizure or brain disease. Many but not all Pediatric Neurologists are also Developmental Pediatricians.
  7. Developmental-Behavioral l Pediatrician – Developmental-behavioral pediatricians possess training and experience to consider, in their assessments and treatments, the medical and psychosocial aspects of children’s and adolescents’ developmental and behavioral problems. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
  8. Behavior Analyst – Individuals can be certified at one of two levels to practice. Those who become certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (B.C.B.A.) can operate and function as independent behavior analysts, whereas those certified as a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (B.C.A.B.A.) must provide services under the supervision of B.C.B.A.

Therapies

There are a variety of therapies that are important components in managing certain developmental disabilities. Children may benefit from a combination of several types of therapies to address specific needs. The descriptions below will help you understand the goals of each therapy.

  • Behavior Therapy – Behavior training and behavior management uses positive reinforcement to reduce behavior problems and promote adaptation skills. The child’s abilities, behavior and environment need to be taken into account when planning behavior management and all adults/caregivers need to be trained in the same behavior management techniques. Consistent use of behavioral interventions across all social contexts is most effective when working with children who have behavior problems due to development disabilities. A Functional Behavior Assessment is often helpful in developing and managing a behavior plan.
  • Physical Therapy – A health profession devoted to improving an individual’s physical abilities. It involves activities that strengthen the child’s muscular control and motor coordination, especially of the large muscles. Some physical therapists receive additional training in sensory integration theory and treatment.
  • Speech/Language Therapy – improve language to help children communicate more effectively, speech skills, pitch of the voice, strengthening oral-motor control in the muscles of the mouth, expand language skills, vocabulary and actual language ability.
  • Occupational Therapy – A health profession devoted to helping people with motor and behavior problems learn how to perform purposeful activities. For a child, purposeful activities include making mud pies, climbing, jumping, buttoning, drawing and writing. Such activities are the child’s occupation. In general OT improves the functioning of a person’s nervous system. Also guiding the child through activities that challenge his ability to respond successfully to sensory stimuli in an organized way. Occupational therapy may also help children learn to process information from the five senses (sight, sound, hearing, touch and smell) in more manageable ways.
  • Psychotherapy – This can include development and intelligence, it can also look at adaptive functioning (the child’s ability to look at real world situations and take care of basic needs). Poor self image, problematic symptoms and behaviors, family therapy and the promoting of a strong social-emotional development.
  • Vision Therapy – Strengthen eye motor control, depth perception, develop visual perception and develop eye hand coordination as well as improve visual skills. This often involves using methods that incorporate the other senses as well.

If you need more assitance with children’s services, please contact our Family-to-Family Health Information Center.