Definitions of "At Risk" and Developmental Delay
OHIO INTERAGENCY EARLY INTERVENTION COUNCIL
Public Law 99-457 (the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986) Part H, requires each state which chooses to participate in serving infants and toddlers (age birth to 3) and their families to define the terms “developmental delay” and “at risk”. These definitions will, in part, determine those infants and toddlers who will be eligible to receive early intervention services under the provisions of Part H, P.L. 99-457. Defining “risk” and “developmental delay” will also help parents and professional early intervention service providers in the earlier identification of infants who might benefit from intervention. Ohio’s definitions, consistent with the philosophy and model for comprehensive, interagency early intervention services, is broad in scope and inclusionary in its intent. Early intervention is viewed as having preventive and supportive value for the child and family, as well as being the vehicle for developmental and therapeutic interventions for the child.
The Ohio Interagency Early Intervention Council, using recommendations from the Target Population Committee, has adopted definitions for both “developmental delay” and “at risk”. These definitions will be integrated by the Ohio Department of Health Division of Maternal and Child Health into the planning, implementation and evaluation of the comprehensive statewide early intervention service system.
Ohio Dept. of Health
Early Intervention
131 N. High St. Suite 411
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 644-8389
At Risk
The definition of risk adopted by the Ohio Interagency Early Intervention Council November 10, 1987 includes three categories:
- Established Risk – these are infants and toddlers with identified conditions or disabilities that we know can adversely affect development. Cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, and Down Syndrome along with many other diagnoses would fall into this category. Young children with developmental delay, but who may not have an established diagnosis are also considered at established risk. Ohio’s definition of delay is included later in this material.
- Biological Risk – These are young children who do not have an identified disability or delay, but who, because of biological circumstances, such as very low birth weight or prematurity, have a higher than normal chance of developmental problems.
- Environmental Risk – These are infants and toddlers without identifiable biological risk factors whose development is seen as vulnerable because of limiting environmental conditions or experiences. Drug or alcohol abuse in parents, poverty, and mental retardation in parents are all factors in a child’s environment associated with a higher than normal appearance of developmental problems.
Developmental Delay
Children who have fallen significantly behind developmental norms (and who may or may not have an established diagnosis) have developmental delays. The definition adopted by the Ohio Interagency Early Intervention Council (March 8, 1988) is as follows: The child has not reached developmental milestones expected for his/her chronological age, as measured by qualified professional(s) using appropriate diagnostic instruments and/or procedures, in one or more of the following developmental areas:
• Cognitive
• Physical
• Language and Speech
• Psycho‐Social
• Self‐Help Skills
