Wyandanch offers resource for parents worried about developmental delays in children

The Wyandanch school district will hold a seminar Thursday where parents concerned about their child’s development can learn about early intervention and special education services.

The event is geared toward those who worry that their child isn’t meeting certain milestones or performing at the same level as their peers. That may include children who aren’t crawling, walking or talking at the expected age, are hyperactive, have behavior issues or find it difficult to follow directions.

The seminar is a first for the district. Carl Baldini, director of special education for the district, said officials hope it empowers parents with knowledge about what healthy development looks like for children, as well as information on when things do not look right and the resources available to them.

“We feel that early intervention is really important for our students to be able to have success later on in life,” Baldini said. “That means academic success, social-emotional success and to be able to access college and careers later on.”

The seminar is open to those outside of the district as well, Baldini said. Attendees can ask questions and learn how to get needed support. On hand will be school staff and professionals and experts from various organizations, including pediatricians, and those who work in the fields of autism, learning and developmental disabilities, mental health and drug and alcohol abuse outreach.

The seminar is meant to give parents a road map and also to help eliminate the stigma around these developmental issues, said Heath Broughton, family and community liaison for the district.

“There’s been a taboo for years,” Broughton said. “We want to address it now and make the parent comfortable and not feel anxiety or embarrassment.”

The seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. at La Francis Hardiman Elementary School at 792 Mount Ave.

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.