我的孩子可能有特殊需求 - 我該先做什麼？
已更新：10月13日
Understanding Your Child's First Signs of Developmental Needs
For many parents, the first signs of developmental needs are not always obvious.
Possible Situations
Perhaps your child is not as verbal as their peers. They may react differently, struggle with communication, or develop at a slower pace. Some children seem to experience the world in unique ways.
Observations as Parents
As parents, we often notice unusual behaviors before understanding their significance.
The Importance of Seeking Help
Most importantly:
You don’t need to have all the answers before seeking help.
Support Systems in California
If you live in California, there is a system designed to help families understand their child's needs and connect them with appropriate services.
Step 1 — Talk to Your Child's Doctor
A good first step is to talk to your child's pediatrician or family doctor.
Be specific about what you have noticed. Instead of saying, "I feel something is different," provide concrete examples:
Issues with language or communication
Concerns about motor development
Difficulties interacting or playing with others
Problems with eating or sensory experiences
Behavioral or emotional issues
Skills that seem delayed or have changed
Your doctor may conduct developmental screenings or refer your child to specialists for further evaluation.
But parents should know one very important thing:
You do not have to wait for a final medical diagnosis to contact California's early intervention system.
For children under three, parents can directly contact their local regional center and request an early start evaluation. California allows parents, doctors, caregivers, and others who know the child to make referrals.
Step 2 — Contact Your Local Regional Center if Your Child is Under 3
California's Early Start program serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who may have developmental delays or certain risks.
After a referral, the regional center will help determine if your child is eligible.
A service coordinator will be assigned to assist your family through the evaluation and assessment process. If your child qualifies, your family will develop an:
IFSP — Individualized Family Service Plan
The IFSP identifies your child's developmental needs, your family's priorities, and potential early intervention services.
Depending on your child's individual needs, early start services may include speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental guidance, assistive technology, family training, service coordination, and other supports.
It's important for parents to understand:
Every child’s plan is different.
The goal should not be to compare your child's therapy hours with those of other children. Instead, the focus should be on identifying what helps your child develop, communicate, engage, and become as independent as possible.
Step 3 — Start Planning Before Your Child Turns Three
Parents sometimes think everything will suddenly change on their child's third birthday.
In reality, this transition should begin earlier.
According to federal regulations, transition planning for children exiting the early start program must begin at least 90 days before their third birthday, and it can start up to nine months before.
At this point, the regional center, family, and local school district can begin discussing the next steps. For children who may qualify for special education, the school district will conduct its own evaluation.
If the child qualifies, the family and school district will develop an:
IEP — Individualized Education Program
The IEP differs from the IFSP.
IFSP focuses on early childhood development and family needs.
IEP focuses on the child's educational needs, goals, services, and supports in an educational environment.
Parents in California have the right to request special education evaluations, attend their child's IEP meetings, receive information in a language they understand, and participate in decisions regarding eligibility, services, and placement.
Step 4 — Understand that School Districts and Regional Centers are Two Different Systems
This is one of the most confusing aspects for new parents.
At age three, a child does not automatically "leave the regional center."
Instead, both systems may operate simultaneously:
School District
Provides special education and related services through the IEP.
Regional Center
For children who continue to qualify, the regional center can coordinate developmental services and supports through the IPP — Individual Program Plan.
California's regional centers offer assessments, service coordination, family support, referrals, advocacy, and other developmental disability services. Eligible individuals can receive planning and service coordination from the regional center beyond early childhood.
California also allows certain 3- and 4-year-old children to receive temporary eligibility if they have significant functional limitations but do not yet meet the full definition of developmental disability.
So, parents should think this way:
Before age 3: Early intervention + IFSP
Ages 3 and above: School district + IEP, and when eligible: Regional center + IPP
These systems can work together.
Step 5 — Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten
Starting around age three, eligible children can receive special education services through their local school district.
Different school districts use different program names, so if the district does not call its program "TOTS," parents need not worry. Ask the school district about its preschool special education program and request an evaluation if one has not been completed.
Once a child enters transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary school, the individualized education program (IEP) will continue to be adjusted based on the child's educational needs, as long as the child remains eligible.
As children grow, teachers, classrooms, case managers, and therapists may change, but parents remain an essential part of the IEP team.
Step 6 — Beyond Therapy and School
Children also need opportunities to simply enjoy childhood.
Depending on their interests and abilities, families can explore inclusive or adaptive activities:
Sports
Swimming
Music
Arts
Dance
Social groups
Summer camps
Community events
After-school activities
Recreational activities
These programs are not substitutes for medical care, regional center services, or IEPs. They represent another developmental aspect.
Children benefit from these activities, as they can build friendships, confidence, communication skills, independence, and a sense of belonging in the community.
Resources at the San Gabriel Valley Regional Center
Since Los Angeles County is divided by health districts, families living just a few miles apart may belong to different regional centers.
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
75 Rancho Camino Drive
Pomona, CA 91766
Main/Early Start Contact: (909) 620-7722
SG/PRC serves many communities in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, including Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, Monrovia, Pomona, Roland Heights, San Dimas, Walnut, and West Covina. Certain parts of Pasadena, Temple City, and Whittier are served by different regional centers.
East Los Angeles Regional Center
1000 South Fremont Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91803
Main: (626) 299-4700
Early Start Contact: (626) 299-4777
Its service area includes Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Marino, South Pasadena, East Pasadena, and other East Los Angeles communities.
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Main: (213) 383-1300
Early Start Contact: (213) 252-8610
Lanterman serves the Pasadena health district, as well as Glendale, Central Los Angeles, and the Hollywood-Wilshire area.
If you are unsure which regional center serves your address, the California Department of Developmental Services maintains a regional center inquiry system. Families can also call the Early Start Baby Hotline at 800-515-BABY (800-515-2229) for assistance.
Valuable Parent Resources in San Gabriel Valley
Parent Place Family Resource and Empowerment Center
1500 S. Hyacinth Ave., Suite B
West Covina, CA 91791
Office: (626) 919-1091
WarmLine: (800) 442-2022
Parent Place supports families of children with special needs in the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley. It offers information, workshops, parent support, and community resources. The organization also has bilingual staff, including those who speak Chinese/Mandarin.
Sometimes, talking with another parent who has walked this path can be just as important as receiving another brochure or medical report.
If You Remember Only Five Things
Trust your observations. If you are concerned about your child's development, ask questions.
Talk to your child's doctor, but don’t feel you must wait for a final diagnosis before seeking developmental services.
For children under three in California, contact your local regional center and inquire about Early Start.
Before age three, begin discussions about transitioning to the local school district and potential IEP services.
Remember, regional center services, school services, and community enrichment are different systems—your child may benefit from more than one service.
Most importantly, obtaining a diagnosis or identifying developmental differences does not define everything about your child.
It simply provides parents with more information about how their child learns, communicates, and experiences the world—and helps families begin to seek support, opportunities, and community for their child to thrive.
This article aims to provide general educational information for California families. Eligibility, services, and individual circumstances vary. Families should confirm current requirements and verify with their child's healthcare provider, local school district, regional center, and appropriate public agencies.
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