Michael Rhoads is like most toddlers—he loves to talk, has a great memory and strong opinions, and likes to do things on his own.
Michael, 2, was born with bilateral club foot, a condition diagnosed before he was born. His parents, Kristen and Jason, knew their son would need casts, braces, and surgery to help correct his feet.
“Our biggest concerns were around his gross motor skills—we knew he was going to be a late walker,” Kristen said. “Since he’s been born, we also learned about low muscle tone and hip dysplasia.”
Michael was working with an orthopedic team at Cincinnati Children’s, but a family friend suggested the Rhoads also reach out to Early Intervention, a program that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays. “We filled out the referral form and did the assessment, not knowing what to expect,” Kristen said. “Early Intervention has been focused on the whole picture of our family life—it’s been a game-changer.”
When Michael was 14 months old, the Rhoads family began working with Jen Bach, an Early Intervention developmental specialist with Hamilton County DD Services. She came to their home, learned about the family routines, Michael’s personality, and listened to their concerns and questions.
“It was really eye-opening to bring in Jen and her team to our house, in a place where Michael is comfortable, and all his toys are there,” Jason said. “They just hit it off immediately, and it was really great to see.”
Together, they set goals for Michael’s development, bringing in other Early Intervention specialists as needed. During the monthly visits, Bach would make observations and suggestions to help with motor skills and developmental needs. Sometimes it’d be as simple as repositioning Michael’s hips to make it easier for him to take side steps along the couch.
“She’s been helpful with not only the physical skills, but also your average toddler stuff that helps parents and makes life easier for all of us,” Jason said.
Kristen added that it’s been incredible to have access to experts and new perspectives through Early Intervention. “Jen is sensational—I cannot believe we get her expertise in our home at the level we do,” she said. “We’ve had access to resources beyond the medical interventions, and it’s been easier and more beneficial than I expected.”
For other parents, she recommends at least completing the self-referral form and going through the assessment process to advocate for your child. Jason added that it was eye-opening to learn about the variety of information available to help his son. “My advice is to be proactive and explore all options,” he said. “Don’t just assume that the team at the hospital is the only team you’re going to be working with because there is way more out there that’s available for families.”
Michael Rhoads, now 2, was born with bilateral club foot. His parents, Kristen and Jason, said working with the Early Intervention team was a “game-changer” for Michael’s gross motor skills and development.
Early Intervention (EI) is grounded in the philosophy that young children learn best from familiar people in familiar settings.
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services has a team of physical, speech and occupational therapists, developmental specialists and behavior support coaches to help families with questions and priorities related to their child’s development.
Early Intervention services are available to children from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or a qualifying diagnosed medical condition.
Learn more at hamiltonddsohio.gov/earlyintervention or call (513) 434-3322.
