Early intervention for children with communication and/or developmental delays is critical to their development and long term success.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services recently revised the developmental milestones for communication. These will help identify concerns earlier to ensure timely intervention essential for optimal child development and family supports.

York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program and York Region Early Intervention Services have partnered to use these norms to create E.R.I.K.?. (Early Referral Identification Kit).

• a more sensitive screening and referral tool for developmental concerns in children 6 months
  to 5 years of age
• an easy to use tool to identify and refer in a timely manner
• children not achieving age appropriate milestones
• children exhibiting certain “RED FLAG” behaviours
• children who may be at risk for
• cognitive delays
• autism spectrum disorder
• motor speech disorders, articulation delays or voice disorders
• stuttering
• language delays
• feeding/sensory difficulties
• motor or other developmental delays

WHY USE E.R.I.K.?

• Quick identification of early warning signs of delays in young children
• Quick and easy referral to appropriate services

• 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48 and 60 months of age — checklists are included
• at the exact age or closest age level passed
• as new patients arrive
• as frequently as possible with current patients

• Check all applicable milestones and RED FLAGS
  on appropriate chronological age checklist
• Fax the completed referral to 905-762-2099
• If any “no” is checked for milestones
• If any RED FLAG is present

The E.R.I.K. Early Referral Identifications Kits are PDF documents that can be downloaded by clicking the appropriate age group link.