LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Area families are taking advantage of a free screening to help ensure their children are developing on track.
Inside Marimor School, the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities hosted the screening for children from birth through age 5. Several areas were evaluated, including motor skills and growth, as well as hearing, vision, speech, dental health, behavior and autism. Officials with the board emphasize the importance of annual screenings, stressing that early intervention is key.
"Early identification is best, obviously. If a child has a delay or a diagnosis or any disability, we want to provide that support early so the earlier, the better, and I think the moment that parents have questions or concerns, they can always call our agency. We can come out, offer that support, offer that intervention that they may need. Our goal is, obviously, that by age 3, they are on track," says Rachael Staley, Director of Early Intervention, Allen County Board of DD.
Staley says one out of three children who receive early intervention do not require specialized services when they begin kindergarten.
