Southern Seven Health Department helps with early intervention

An increase in children getting diagnosed with autism and developmental delays has the American Academy of Pediatrics pushing for early screenings.

According to data done by the CDC more children are getting diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay then ever before. The American academy of Pediatrics recommends that providers screen all children for ASD at ages 18 and 24 months in addition to regular developmental surveillance. Early developmental screening and receipt of services are vital in a child’s development.  

The Southern Seven Health Department of Southern Illinois is hosting ‘Child Find’ events where children can receive free developmental screenings. 

Southern Seven Outreach Coordinator Shawnna Rhine gives details on the event.

“If you have a concern about your child maybe a delay whether its emotional maybe they have a physical need that your concerned about this is an opportunity to talk with those providers so that as they enter those classrooms that they are getting the services they need.” 

Rhine says that parents with children under the age of 5 who are diagnosed with a delay or disability often find it difficult to find services or know where to go for services.

The child find screening event is to help parents find answers.

“When they come to the event, they do participate in a series of screenings just to determine where those delays might be and if it is determined that there are delays with the child then the family is given the resources they need.” 

The child find screenings events will be held in May across several different counties in Illinois.

Alexander County:
May 3 and 6 from 9:00 to 2:00 at Egyptian Elementary School in Tamms. Call 618-776-5756.
Hardin County:
April 15 and 16 from 8:00 to 2:00 at Hardin County Elementary School in Elizabethtown. Call 618-287-
7601.
Johnson County:
March 15 from 8:30 to 2:30 at New Simpson Grade School in Cypress. Call 618-658-8536.
April 11 and 12 from 8:30 to 2:00 at Vienna Elementary School in Vienna. Call 618-658-8286.
Date(s) and times to be determined at Goreville Elementary School in Goreville. Call 618-995-2141.
Massac County:
March 20 and 21 from 8:30 to 1:30 at Metropolis Elementary School. Call 618-524-4821.
Pope County:
April 12 (times to be determined) at Pope County Elementary School in Golconda. Call 618-683-2142.
Pulaski County:
May 15 and 16 from 8:30 to 3:00 at Century Elementary School in Ullin. Call 618-845-3572.
Phone registration by appointment only at Meridian Elementary School in Mounds. Call 618-342-6773.
Union County:
April 26 from 9:00 to 2:30 at Cobden Elementary School in Cobden. Call 618-893-2311.
May 10 from 8:30 to 2:30 at Dongola Elementary School in Dongola. Call 618-827-4441.
May 13 from 8:00 to 3:00 at Jonesboro Elementary School in Jonesboro. Call 618-833-5148.
May 23 from 8:15 to 2:15, for Lick Creek students, at United Missionary Baptist Church located at 125
United Missionary Baptist Lane in Buncombe. Call 618-833-2545.
Date(s) and times to be determined Lincoln Elementary in Anna. Call 618-833-6851
Please bring the following:
Child’s Certified Birth Certificate
Current physical and shot records Proof of family income (one month of pay stubs or 2023 W2’s, taxes, TANF, SNAP or SSI)

For more information about the Community “Child Find” Screening, contact Sharity Gaddis, Southern 7 Head Start
Enrollment Specialist at 618-634-2297, ex. 971127