On-Site Behavioral Support Child Development Specialist Services Navigating through the often confusing and daunting maze of special education services can be exhausting and frustrating. Obtaining the appropirate services to address the assessment goals and recommendations from the various professionals and agencies working with your family may seem overwhelming and unsurmountable, diminishing your already taxed resources. The child development specialist at the CDM, Janel Astor, can provide the link between your family, your school and the various service agencies. Ms. Astor's experience with children, ages 0-8, is very broad and her extensive backgroun in child development will give your family the help you need at home or in your child's classrom. In order to maximize your child's potential, collaboration with teachers, therapists, administrators and physicians is imperative. Ms. Astor will interpret and integrate your child's education plans and IFSPs in order to transform goals into practical strategies appropriate for generalization at your home or other setting. The service provided by Ms. Astor is specifically designed for families with children with complicated conditions, such as autism, developmental delays, mental retardation and behavioral disorders The support services provided by our child development specialist may include: Classroom and home consultation, such as: program planning, collaborative teaching strategies, environmental changes, classroom adaptations, developing and implementing intervention plans with family and/or teachers, parent/child interaction-assessment and intervention. IFSP/IEP work, offering: document review and interpretation, service recommendations, advocacy legal rights review. Program Procedures Each family is unique and presents individual strengths and challenges. In order to determine specific intervention requirements, the following program guidelines will be followed: An initial phone call or email consultation (less than 15 minutes) will be scheduled to discuss concerns and to establish whether there is an appropriate fit between the specialist and the family’s needs and priorities. This consultation is free-of-charge. If it is decided to move forward together, an initial one hour visit at the office will be scheduled to further discuss identified concerns, determine a likely number of sessions required and develop an initial plan with timelines and goals. Please note: that the number of sessions is subject to change based on the child or the family’s response to intervention. Any change to original suggested amount of visits will be discussed and approved before implementation. Subsequent office and/or home visits will generally be scheduled for one hour blocks of time unless otherwise specified. Each will include direct service working with the child, family, teacher, or others, as identified in the initial session. Each visit will conclude with a “homework” note to define and complement the session, and to provide direction and next steps for the following visit. Community visits (i.e. school and/or classroom observations, IEP attendance) will be scheduled as appropriate. Length of visits will be determined by purpose of visit, school schedules, family input, etc. For more information about this unique, personalized program and how your family may benefit from such guidance, please contact your CDM clinician at 408-358-1853 or email info@devminds.com The Center for Developing Minds ph: 408.358.1853 | fx: 408.358.1802 | 15951 Los Gatos Blvd. Ste. 6 | Los Gatos, CA 95032