Developmental Disabilities Family Support

For concerns during a child’s early development, reach out to Stark County’s Early Intervention program. Up to 55 hours of services are provided annually at no cost to eligible families.

Helpful Links

• First Steps – A guide for parents of young children with developmental disabilities.
• Bold Beginning! – Access local resources for all things related to pregnancy and early childhood, including information about milestones and healthy beginnings.

Common Developmental Markers

Two months – At two months, infants typically start to smile, coo and pay attention to faces. They may begin following sounds and seeing things at a distance.

Four months – Four-month-olds like to play and stay occupied. At this age, they often copy movements, sounds and expressions, and can hold up their own heads without support.

Six months – After six months, babies can often recognize familiar faces, show curiosity, roll over on their own and make sounds to express their feelings.

Nine months – At the nine-month mark, children may be clingy and afraid of strangers. They can often string together syllables and move objects from one hand to another.

One year – By their first birthdays, children may be seeking attention, responding with simple gestures and words and exploring new actions.

18 months – At 18 months, children typically begin throwing temper tantrums, playing pretend and identifying everyday items.

2 years – When a child turns two, you can expect them to show more independence, put together simple sentences and know the names of familiar people, places and things.

3 years – It is typical for 3-year-olds to climb, run, copy behaviors and show a wide range of emotions. They may also be able to carry on conversations and follow instructions.

4 years – Children can typically name some colors and numbers and understand time by the age of 4. They can also start to use scissors and pour liquids with some supervision.

5 years – At age 5, children often want to spend time with their friends and can tell simple stories using full sentences. They can also count and print some letters and numbers.

Children develop in their own unique ways, and how a child responds to and interacts with the world around them gives clues to their developmental progress. When a child doesn’t meet development milestones in a range typical of their peers, it may indicate a difference in their growth.

• For newborns (birth to 1)
• For infants (1 to 2)
• For toddlers (2 to 3)
• For preschoolers (3 to 5)
• For 6 to 8-year olds
• For 9 to 11-year olds
• For young teens (12 to 14)
• For teenagers (15 to 17)

RedTreehouse.org is a good link with resources compiled by Ronald McDonald

Securing child care for children with unique needs can be difficult. It is often a challenge to find someone qualified and trained to care for children with functional needs. This page will help you find accessible child care resources for a child with developmental disabilities.

Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in community events, social activities and shared experiences, regardless of ability. Learn about the leisure, religious and social opportunities available in Stark County for people with disabilities.

• Arc of Ohio Annual Events – Find upcoming social events coordinated through the Arc of Ohio.
• The Best Activities for Kids with Special Needs – A collection of recommendations for after-school and weekend activities for kids with developmental disabilities.
• Canton Challengers Baseball League – Separate division of Little League Baseball for boys and girls with developmental disabilities. Contact Beth Wurgler at (330) 413-0548 or [email protected] for details.
• Stark DD Events Calendar – Learn about events throughout the year for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Stark County Board of DD Special Olympics  – Sports training and competition for individuals ages 8 years and older who live in Stark County and are eligible for Stark DD services.
• Stark County Exceptional Olympics – This annual one-day fun day is available for students enrolled in multihandicapped classes through the Stark County Educational Service Center and Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
• Stark Parks – Our local parks system offers many accessible outdoor opportunities.
• Visit Canton – Find details for upcoming events around Stark County.
• YMCA Stark County – Visit your local YMCA for family-friendly, accessible events and activities.

• Developmental disabilities service eligibility
• Major Unusual Incidents (MUIs)
• Medicaid waivers & paying for services
• National developmental disabilities organizations
• Special Education Services
• Transportation Services
• Employment Resources
• Affordable & Subsidized Housing
• Food Assistance