Eligibility Criteria for First Steps
1. A developmental delay, as measured by appropriate diagnostic measures and procedures emphasizing the use of informed clinical opinion, is defined as a child who is functioning at half the developmental level that would be expected for a child developing within normal limits and of equal age.
- Cognitive development (thinking skills)
- Communication development (speech/hearing){combined receptive/expressive}
- Adaptive development (self help skills)
- Physical development (motor skills) {combined fine/gross}
- Social/emotional development (behavior)
2. Conditions diagnosed at birth within 30 days post birth (newborn conditions)
Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW; less than 1,500 grams) with one or more conditions:
- Apgar of 6 or less at 5 minutes
- Intracranial bleeds (Grade II, III, or IV)
- Ventilator dependent for 72 hours or more
- Asphyxiation
3. Conditions Diagnosed (Neonatal/Infant/Toddler Conditions)
- Genetic conditions known to be associated with mental retardation or developmental disabilities including but not limited to: Down Syndrome, Cri-du-Chat Syndrome, Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Trisomy 18 Syndrome (Edward’s), Turner’s Syndrome, Trisomy 13 Syndrome, Triple X Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Prader Willi
- Additional conditions known to be associated with mental retardation or developmental disabilities including but not limited to: Hypoxic ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and at term (36 weeks gestation or more), Cranio-facial anomalies (i.e., cleft palate, etc.) , Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder, Spina Bifida, Blindness (including visual impairments), Macro/Microcephalus (including Hydrocephalus ), Deafness (including hearing impairments ), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease , PKU, Cerebral Palsy, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Viruses/bacteria (Herpes, syphillis, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis,and rubella), Autism Spectrum Disorders