west michigan resource guide

The first steps of therapy can be overwhelming! There's a lot to learn if you are new to this world. 

You have several options about therapy settings, and some families even utilize multiple options.
Don’t be afraid to “shop around” for the best fit and a therapist with whom you and your child connect.

Therapy setting options include:
• services provided through your child's home school district •
• private therapy services through local therapy clinics or outpatient hospital therapy centers • 

There are pros and cons to both, and I always encourage families to think about what makes the most sense for their child's needs, their family's schedule, as well as the financial aspect.

exploring resources offered by your
​home school district

Regardless of where your child attends school, your home school district is legally obligated to provide free screenings/ evaluations and educational services to children who “qualify” (i.e. demonstrate a significant delay affecting learning). Each individual school district’s special education team is responsible for determining how, when and where those services are provided, although parents can and should participate in those decision-making conversations.

birth to 3 years: 
​"early intervention"

Every state has a federally-funded Early Intervention program for children ages
birth-3 years that is typically operated by the state’s public school system.

Children demonstrating a significant enough delay in any developmental domain (e.g. language, gross motor, fine motor, social/emotional, cognitive) or those with a medical diagnosis related to development (e.g. autism, hearing loss, Down syndrome), may be offered therapy or some kind of support services through Early Intervention at no charge.
Screenings/evaluations are also free.

If you are in Michigan, that program is called EarlyOn Michigan. You may self refer by clicking here (no medical referral necessary) or by calling 1-800-Early-On.

Click here for contact information about other states’ Early Intervention programs.

3 to 5 years:
"child Find"

Contact your home district’s Child Find Coordinator to request a screening/evaluation.

Children demonstrating delays in any developmental domain domain (e.g. language, gross motor, fine motor, social/emotional, cognitive), may be offered therapy or support services through their home district, typically through the
district’s public preschool program. These services are free of charge if the child qualifies.

If a child qualifies for speech therapy services provided through their home school district, but does not attend a public preschool program operated by their home school district, they will likely be asked to bring their child in to a local school for "walk-in" therapy services. In these situations, your child will be provided speech therapy services as stipulated by their IEP (Individualized Education Plan). These services often look like 15-30 min/week individually or in a small group of peers also working on speech/language skills. ​

To explore or begin this process through a Michigan school district, find your district's contact info here. 

Kindergartners or 6+ years:
​"Special education services"

Contact your home school’s special education team or discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher. If you submit a written request for an evaluation, your home district has to follow special rules to respond/evaluate, including for children who are homeschooled. All schools receiving public funding have a duty to identify and evaluate all students in need of special education services.

Children demonstrating delays in any developmental domain domain (e.g. language, gross motor, fine motor,
social/emotional, cognitive), may be offered therapy or support services through their home district’s
special education program. These services are free of charge if the child qualifies.
​

west michigan therapy resources

These are all pediatric providers unless otherwise noted.

​speech therapy

High 5 Speech Therapy

Engage Therapy Center

​Center for Childhood Development

​Mitten Speech Therapy

occupational therapy

Engage Therapy Center

​​Center for Childhood Development

Sensational Steps Therapy

physical therapy

Launch Pediatric Rehab

ABA & other

Family Nest ABA

Developmental Enhancement Behavioral Health

This is a constant work in progress! If you are a local therapist or related professional and would like to be included in the West Michigan Local Therapy Resource Guide, please complete this online form.