Thorough and family-friendly evaluations for children
Summit’s Developmental Evaluation Center provides thorough and family-friendly evaluations for children from infancy through five years of age. Our highly trained and experienced evaluators recognize that each child and family is unique, and our evaluations are tailored to reflect the individual child’s strengths and needs. A team of professionals is ready and qualified to provide evaluation of each child’s development in the areas of communication, learning, hearing, motor, sensory, self-help, and social and emotional development.
Eligibility for Services
The Developmental Evaluation Center specializes in providing evaluations for children who are suspected to have speech and language delays or disorders, sensory motor disorders, emotional or behavioral disorders or a delay in learning. Evaluations are also provided to children who are at risk of delay due to a diagnosed condition such as autism, Down syndrome, hearing impairment, or cerebral palsy. Children birth to five years old are eligible if referred for evaluation by the county in which the child resides (birth to two years old) or the local school district (three to five years old). Evaluations are typically provided at no direct cost to families.
Evaluations in other languages
If the child or family’s primary language is something other than English, evaluations can be provided in most languages. In particular, our bilingual educational program located in Buffalo has a staff of speech-language professionals, special educators, and supporting staff who are fluent in English and Spanish and familiar with the local culture. This highly qualified group is able to make each step of the evaluation process familiar and comfortable.
Evaluations for children birth to two years old
Very young children are often evaluated in their home or other familiar settings where they feel most safe and secure. Within the context of play, the evaluators first build a relationship with each child and then use a variety of formal and informal methods to assess the child’s abilities. Information received from parents helps to determine the child’s strengths and weaknesses in each area of development (motor, cognitive, communication, social and emotional, and physical). These various sources of information are used to complete a formal written report and make recommendations for program eligibility and services through the Early Intervention Program in the child’s county of residence.
Evaluations for children three and four years old
Many three- and four-year-old children are comfortable exploring new environments and thus are evaluated in one of our clinics or community locations. Depending upon the areas of concern, evaluations can include as assessment of the child’s intellectual, hearing, social and emotional, adaptive, motor, and speech-language development. If applicable, a skilled evaluator also observes the child in his or her daycare or preschool setting. The various sources of information are summarized in a report that includes a description of strengths and weaknesses, recommendations for services, and goals for learning. Final decisions about eligibility and services will be made by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) in the child’s school district of residence.
To make a referral
A referral to the Developmental Evaluation Center begins with your call to Summit. When you call, our Student and Consumer Services Department will obtain and describe the steps necessary for your child to be evaluated. Simply call 629-3480 to begin the process.
