Community & Parent Resources

Deaf and Blind Services in Montana:

Montana School for the Deaf and Blind

Secondary Transition Services:

Pre-ETS

Links to all member district webpages (Amsterdam, Anderson, Big Sky, Cottonwood, Ennis, Gallatin Gateway, Harrison, Malmborg, Monforton, LaMotte, Pass Creek, Springhill, West Yellowstone, Willow Creek)

Speech:

Website: https://www.asha.org/public/

Description:

This is a trusted, parent-friendly resource from ASHA with information on speech, language, and hearing development. It includes developmental milestones by age, early warning signs of communication delays, and ways families can support communication at home.

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly

Description:

This program helps parents track developmental milestones, including speech and language, from birth through age 5. The site features milestone checklists, videos, and a complimentary app to assist families in monitoring their child’s progress.

Website: https://www.hanen.org/

Description: The Hanen Centre provides evidence-based tips and programs for parents to encourage communication, play, and early language skills in everyday routines. Especially useful for preschool and early elementary families.

Website: https://talkingisteaching.org/

Description:

A national campaign that helps parents build their child’s language and early literacy through everyday moments—talking, reading, and singing together. Offers themed printable activities, videos, and tip sheets for families.

Website: https://www.readingrockets.org/

Description:

Reading Rockets offers articles, videos, and activity ideas connecting language development to reading success. Parents can find strategies to support speech, vocabulary, and comprehension at home.

Occupational Therapy:

CDC developmental norms

https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/index.html

Physical Therapy:

Working within the routines of the typical day, physical therapists provide services to school age students (3-21 years old) who have motor challenges that impact access to and/or participation in their educational programming.

Physical therapists address concerns in the motor and adaptive behavior domains, including gross motor, mobility, positioning and play/leisure skills within the educational environment (classroom, lunch, recess, hallways, restroom, work sites, etc) for those students 3-21 years old.

Physical therapists work with children and students and collaborate with and coach parents, school personnel, and team members to provide embedded intervention strategies. Working as a member of an IEP team, a physical therapist may suggest equipment to address a student’s access and/or participation concerns.

CDC developmental norms:

https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/index.html

Developmental norms birth to 5 years:

https://med.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/pediatricsclerkship/documents/5-Developmental-Milestones-MedU.pdf

Skills for speech, fine and gross motor:

https://www.toolstogrowtherapy.com/family-resources/developmental-milestones/

Social/Emotional/Behavioral:

CDC developmental norms