The first few years of life are when people learn and change more quickly than at any other time. Your child grows and learns a lot before learning to talk. Even during this early time, you may notice unevenness in areas of your child’s development including natural talents and weaknesses. It can be difficult to know when a weakness requires special attention or when it will right itself with more time.

Has your pediatrician suggested a developmental evaluation for your young child? Are you concerned that he/she seems slow to understand speech or to use language? Does he/she seem aloof to you and others or not look at you when you call his/her name? Or maybe your pre-school child repeatedly plays with toys in strange or unusual ways. Are you worried that he/she might have delayed development?

I can help with these developmental and social questions. Some of the reasons parents consult with me are:

• Questions of developmental delays such as autism, pervasive developmental or Asperger disorder.
• Attention, hyperactivity or self-regulation problems.
• Aloofness or poor joint attention with others (Child doesn’t look at you when you call name).
• Poor shared enjoyment (Child doesn’t share “fun” with others).
• Inability to play with toys or imaginary games.
• Extreme shyness or isolation.
• Restricted or repetitive play.
• Language delays.
• Inability to use or understand gestures such as pointing.
• Self-injury.
• Over-reactivity to sounds, motion, and/or touch.

I provide both diagnostic, therapeutic and consultation services for the very, young child.

Diagnostic Services: Individual assessments can define and highlight the child’s strengths while identifying the child’s weak or problematic developmental areas. In some cases, a comprehensive diagnostic assessment or evaluation (also known as psychological or psycho-educational testing) is recommended to understand why a child is having troubles. Sometimes, just an assessment of social competencies is needed. My assessment process concludes with face-to-face and written summaries of findings and individualized recommendations.

Therapeutic and Consultation Services: I offer relationship and play therapy for very young children and skills coaching for parents of children with social developmental delays. I also offer consultations for parents of recently-diagnosed children.