You know your child best. If you are concerned about your baby or young child’s growth in speech and language, physical, social-emotional, or cognitive development there are supports you can access for assistance.
If your child is under 3 years old:
- Contact the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ages 0-36 mo) : Call your regional ITC office. A free evaluation will determine if your child qualifies for services. A service coordinator is assigned at no cost to help you navigate the program.
- Chesapeake- 757-819-6222
- Norfolk- 757-441-1186
- Portsmouth - 757-776-3088
- Virginia Beach - 757-385-4425
- Eastern Shore – 757-442-5437
- Western Tidewater- 757-562-6806
- Request an Evaluation & Develop You IFSP: A team evaluates your child across multiple developmental areas, at no cost. If eligible, you and the team build an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) around your goals.
- Receive Services in Your Child’s Natural Environment: Services happen at home, daycare, or the local library - wherever your child already spends time. All services are designed to fit into everyday activities and family routines.
- Transition to Public School Support (around age 3) The Preschool Assessment Center coordinates OT, PT, speech, and outside agency evaluations.
If your child is 3 years old or older, call your local public elementary school (even if your child does not go to school there yet) and say: “I have concerns about my child’s development and I would like to have my child evaluated through the school system for preschool special education services.”
Additional Resources for Early Childhood Development Support
| Care Connection for Children, CHKD | CCC's focus is on children and youth with chronic or disabling health care conditions. CCC provides health care coordination and financial assistance, based on eligibility, for health related services. Also provides Parent-to-Parent support and education; and assists with navigating the school system to obtain health related services. |
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| Department of Social Services | Resources for early intervention, finding child care, health and safety, financial assistance and much more |
| Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater (FACT) | The mission of FACT is to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families in the greater Tidewater Virginia area. Offering numerous programs to support our mission. |
| Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia | Learn about access to supports and services for your baby |
| Norfolk Autism Center | |
| Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center - (PEATC) | Have questions about special education services? Need help with navigating a special education system? These professionals understand the unique needs of Latino families, Early childhood, Military Families, and family engagement |
| United Way of SHR Developmental Screening Initiative (ASQ-SE) | The Hampton Roads Developmental Screening Initiative (HRDSI) aims to increase understanding and coordinated use of the Ages and Stages (ASQ) developmental screening questionnaire among parents, caregivers, and early childhood experts in Hampton Roads. |