Evaluations
& Services

By the time a child is 4, some of the most important learning that will ever happen has already taken place! During these early years, all children grow and develop at individual rates.

However—
* if your child is not doing what other kids the same age are doing
* if you child has a specific diagnosis,
* or if you simply believe something is not right,
you should ask questions…and get answers.

For young children, questions about early childhood milestones include areas such as:
– Walking
– Talking
– Playing
– Eating
– Behaving
and much more…

For older children, MKSA can offer help with situations such as:
– Difficulty establishing friendships
– Problems communicating
– Behavioral challenges
– Learning difficulties
– Fine and gross motor concerns

For children that have suspected delays or a diagnosed condition, MKSA can help you make informed decisions about your child’s needs, and we can assist you in the evaluation process. For more information, call (516) 731-5588 to speak to one of our child development professionals. Please be assured that all conversations are kept strictly confidential. And remember-no question is too small…or too big! You may also contact us by email.

Click here to see our developmental milestone checklist.

All children ages birth to 3 are entitled to a free evaluation under the New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) to determine if they are eligible for services. The NYS EIP follows a developmental model, which demonstrates whether a child is reaching milestones as compared to peers of the same age. A developmental delay means a child has not reached age-appropriate milestones in one or more developmental areas. If the delay is significant enough to meet eligibility criteria, services are available at no out-of-pocket cost.

A multi-disciplinary EI evaluation assesses five basic areas of development, and determines if a child has a measurable delay in any of these areas:
– Communication (using and understanding language)
– Cognitive (thinking, learning, intellectual ability, problem-solving)
– Physical (gross/fine motor skills such as walking and handling objects)
– Social (relating to other, handling and expressing their own emotions)
– Adaptive (self-help skills such as feeding and dressing)

In addition, your child may receive one or more of the following evaluations, depending on your area of concern:
– Speech & Language
– Audiological
– Special Education
– Physical Therapy
– Occupational Therapy
– Psychological

An additional evaluation called a diagnostic evaluation is available to diagnose or rule out Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our agency has some of the area’s most experienced and respected evaluators and diagnosticians. MKSA uses a variety of tools to evaluate your child, and we take the time to make sure we have a complete picture of your child.

The results of these evaluations, along with information you provide, will determine if your child qualifies for services. When a child is determined eligible, the types of services are determined at a meeting that includes the parent, evaluator and a representative from the municipality. An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outlines all the details of the services your child will receive, in addition to the goals you would like him/her to achieve.

MKSA provides a full range of evaluation, therapeutic and support services under EI, and services are provided wherever your child is: your home, day care, or any community center. We also offer services in our Plainview clinic, with a private viewing room for parents/caregivers to observe therapy sessions. Services are provided throughout Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan.

If a child is determined eligible, EI services may include:
– Special Instruction (services provided to enhance a child’s development of learning, play and social skills)
– Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) (a systematic behavior approach in treating children, primarily used in children with autism)
– Speech/Language Therapy (helps children with expressive (spoken) and/or
receptive (understanding) language delays)
– Feeding Therapy (helps children who have motor difficulty with chewing or swallowing)
– PROMPT (helps a child develop motor control and proper oral muscular movements)
– Physical Therapy (helps develop large muscle skills needed for crawling, walking and climbing)
– Occupational Therapy (helps develop fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, self-help skills, sensory and motor development)
– Social Work (provides information, emotional support and assistance for family members in accessing community resources)
– Counseling (works with a child or members of the family on issues surrounding or impacted by the child’s developmental delay)
– Family Training (teaches parents and caregivers strategies for helping their child achieve success in daily activities)
– Service Coordination (helps the family navigate the early intervention system)

Bilingual services are available in many languages.

At MKSA, we believe in putting the child and their family’s needs first. We understand the important role of families in the life of a child with special needs. While our teachers and therapists work with the child, family members are included in a child’s therapy, and every effort is made to accommodate each family’s busy schedule. We work tirelessly to enhance each child’s development and to respond quickly and sensitively to families’ concerns.

For more information, call MKSA at (516) 731-5588 or contact us by email.

For information on developmental milestones, click here to see our developmental milestone checklist.

The EIP is for children less than three years of age, and is a public program funded by New York State and local counties. All children must be referred to the EIP. MKSA is an approved provider of EIP services and is under contract with Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the New York City Department of Mental Health. All services under the EIP are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families, but health insurance may be accessed. Eligibility for the EIP can be determined only by State approved evaluators under contract with the County. If a child is found eligible for the EIP, all services are identified in collaboration with the family and must be authorized by the County, which will arrange for service providers to deliver services authorized by the municipality. For services provided in a community setting that require a fee, the parent is responsible for paying those fees. Parents may refer their child by calling their local EIP: NYC (311), Nassau (516-227-8661), Suffolk (631-853-3100), or MKSA can assist with the referral.

Every NYS school district has a Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), a program that provides services to children from 3-5 years of age who have, or are at risk of having a developmental disability. Preschool evaluations are conducted to determine whether or not a child has a disability and is eligible for preschool special educational and/or related therapeutic services. If a child is found eligible for preschool services, the family acts as a member of the school district’s CPSE to determine appropriate services. MKSA can answer questions about development and help you with the referral process.

If a child qualifies for services, a meeting that includes the parent, evaluation representative, and representative from your local school district will be conducted where an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. An IEP outlines all the details of the services your child will receive, in addition to the goals you would like him/her to achieve.

MKSA provides preschool related services, which can be delivered at your home, your child’s preschool/daycare, or at our clean, beautiful Plainview facility.

Preschool Related Services can include:
– Speech/Language Therapy (helps children with expressive (spoken) and/or receptive (understanding) language delays)
– Feeding Therapy (helps children who have motor difficulty with chewing or swallowing)
– PROMPT (helps a child develop motor control and proper oral muscular movements)
– Physical Therapy (works on gross motor skills such as running, jumping, skipping and hopping)
– Occupational Therapy (works on fine motor skills such as writing and cutting, eye-hand coordination, self-help skills, sensory and motor development)
– Parent Training (teaches parents and caregivers strategies for helping their child achieve success in daily activities)
– Social Work Services (provides information, emotional support and assistance for family members in accessing community resources)
– Counseling (works with a child or members of the family on issues surrounding or impacted by the child’s developmental delay)

Bilingual services are available in many languages.

For information on the Preschool Special Education Program, call 516-731-5588 or contact us by email.

Click here to see our developmental milestone checklist.

The NYS Education Department (NYSED), Office of Special Education oversees a statewide preschool special education program with school districts, municipalities, approved providers and parents. Evaluations and specially planned individual or group instructional services or programs are provided to eligible children who have a disability that affects their learning. Funding for these special education programs and services is provided by municipalities and the State.

Our professionals have extensive experience working with school age children, and are familiar with core curriculum requirements. We supplement staffing needs in public and private school as well as provide home-based services when deemed appropriate.

MKSA can offer help with situations such as:

– Difficulty establishing friendships
– Problems communicating
– Behavioral challenges
– Learning difficulties
– Fine and gross motor concerns

Services include:

In School
– Behavior Intervention Services
– Classroom Consultation
– Positive Behavior Supports
– FBAs/BIPs
– Special Education
– Speech, PT, OT
– Resource Room

In Home
– Behavior Intervention Services
– Parent Training
– Special Education
– Home Teaching
– Speech, PT, OT
– Counseling
– Supervision of Home Programs
– Program Consultation

Evaluations
– Psychological/Differential Diagnosis of ASD
– Speech, PT, OT
– Audiological

Professional Development Trainings available
– Behavior Management
– Social Skills
– Speech/Language
– Direct Instruction
– and more…

Translation services are available.

Parents can obtain evaluations/services for their child through our private pay program as well.

For more information, contact MKSA at 516-731-5588 or by email.

MKSA’s private pay therapeutic and educational services are available for children any age in the following situations:

– Child not found eligible for one of our state-funded programs
– Child not enrolled in one of our state-funded programs

Multi-session plan discounts are available. We do not accept private insurance, however we provide documentation of sessions that can be used for parent reimbursement in out of network plans. For more information on MKSA’s private pay services, call 516-731-5588 or contact us by email.

Click here to print MKSA Brochure
Click here to print MKSA Milestones Checklist
Click here to print MKSA Autism Card
Click here to print MKSA Milestones Card (quick reference)