These early years from birth to age three are critical for your child’s development. Here are the essential steps to ensure your child gets the support and services they need:
Get Started: Essential Documents
- Obtain a Social Security card and certified birth certificate. You’ll need these for nearly every program and service. Apply through the Social Security Administration and your county vital records office if you don’t have them yet.
Early Intervention Services
- Enroll in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) immediately. Anyone can refer a child—even you as the parent. ECI provides crucial developmental services at no cost to families.
⏰ CRITICAL MILESTONE: There’s no cost and ECI services are vitally important during the early years of brain development.
- Plan for the ECI to ECSE transition. At age three, children move from ECI to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) through the school district.
⏰ CRITICAL MILESTONE: The transition conference must occur at least 90 days before your child’s third birthday.
- Consider additional therapy hours. Your child can receive both ECI services AND private therapy simultaneously. Therapies (physical, occupational, speech) can be accessed through private insurance, Texas Health Steps, STAR Kids, or hospital-based programs.
Healthcare & Specialists
- Connect with specialists as needed. Your child may benefit from developmental pediatricians, neurology, child psychiatry, or genetic specialists.
- Determine eligibility for Medicaid and STAR Kids. These programs provide essential health coverage for children with disabilities.
- Start organizing medical information. Keep both electronic and paper files of all medical records, evaluations, and service plans.
Childcare & Education
- Choose high-quality childcare designed for your child’s needs. Look for settings that can support your child’s developmental requirements.
- Apply for childcare subsidies early. The Texas Workforce Commission (through Workforce Solutions Alamo in San Antonio) offers support. Children with diagnoses have first priority for funding.
Long-Term Planning (Start Now)
- Place your child on Medicaid Waiver waitlists NOW. Some waivers have multi-year waitlists. Eligibility is determined later, and some are based on the child’s income, not yours. Explore the Waiver checklist on this site, too.
- Explore Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI provides financial support based on household income for children with disabilities. Visit NavigateLifeTexas.org for more information.
- Consider a Texas ABLE account. Save for your child’s future needs without affecting waiver eligibility. Available at any age if the disability occurred before age 26.
- Begin estate planning. Establish legal documents for your child’s adult years, including considerations about future guardianship.
Ongoing Support
- Connect with case management programs. When your child ages out of ECI, case managers can help identify, navigate, and access community resources.
Throughout Your Journey
Self-care is critically important. Find ways to create meaningful relief from daily responsibilities. Your support network can include nonprofits, friends, family, and local, state, and federal resources.
Support groups and families on similar paths offer shared wisdom. Case managers and social workers can help with many aspects of your family’s wellbeing, including safety net needs like food, housing, and utilities.
Many families connect with resources at SACRD.org/idd or Morgan’s Multi-Assistance Center and their team of Navigators.
Continue to vision and dream for your child’s life, focused on their abilities. You are your child’s most important advocate. Trust your instincts.
