1. Know your child's strengths and weaknesses

A diagnosis is heavily dependent on a parent's report of a child's developmental history. This includes the areas of speech, language, hearing, vision, cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills. The history begins with the child's birth. It is best if a parent can have a written history of a child's developmental milestones rather than depending on memory alone. Refer to the Internet for developmental milestones or books that have developmental scales such as the My Baby Compass series, to help you understand these important concepts.

2. Ask questions at your child's evaluation and follow-up reports

Fear and intimidation, whether it is real or imagined, can cause a parent to freeze. Don't nod your head that you understand what is going on when actually you have no idea. Terminology that is unfamiliar to you as a parent is what the professionals use on a daily basis. It was reported in 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services that 60 percent of families did not understand a diagnosis or a therapeutic intervention. It is important as a parent to know what to expect and what is needed for your child to succeed.

3. Be a team player with your health care providers, teachers and specialists

More heads are better than one for your child to succeed. The old saying, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, is important. But remember, you get more with honey than you do with vinegar. It is best to stay calm and understand that most service providers are overworked and have strict time constraints. Education and the health care system is feeling the squeeze of the economy; however, you are your child's best advocate and are 100 percent responsible for tracking your child's progress.

4. Record your child's likes and dislikes

This will assist a health care provider or teacher in developing an educational plan that will start on a positive note. Knowing what toys and activities increase your child's interests will provide opportunities for greater engagement. It will also help to establish rapport between your child and those individuals that are providing the service.

5. Know the benefits of an Individual Family Service Plan(IFSP) and/or an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). These are the official documents that provide evaluations, service and treatment for children with developmental delays or special needs. It gives concrete information as to the child's diagnosis, treatment plan, personal involvement, location of service and follow-up appointments. Know the regulation and administration of the rules of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).

6. Ask what activities you can do in the home to assist your child's progress

It takes only six minutes a day for a child to learn a new concept if the idea is presented at the child's level of understanding. Your child wants to be like you and if you show an interest in what your child is doing, greater progress will be made. Also those skills that a child has learned will be maintained for a longer period of time. You will be glad you took the extra time and your efforts will pay off.

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If a parent knows what works for a baby's physical needs, that will allow time for wonderful interaction and affection. Here are the baby basics:

Share the responsibility

The care of a new baby can be stressful. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Feelings can vary from overprotectiveness to apathy and it is important to have a family member or friend to share these feelings. Have a team of helpers for you and your baby. This can include parents, babysitters, neighbors, friends and hired help. Cleaning the house, taking a shower, paying the bills and getting a break is necessary to maintain a happy home. I will never forget the time my baby daughter developed colic when I introduced formula. It was the longest weekend of my life. Thank goodness my sister-in-law was there to help me.

Improve your parenting skills

Parenting is a learned skill. You have instincts and natural intuition that is important for your baby's safety, but there is so much more to learn. The first seven years of your child's life can determine your his academic and social interaction success. Read and educate yourself as to how to recognize problems or to enhance your child's developmental skills. Some helpful books are: I'm Okay, You're a Brat, Happiest Baby on the Block, Dr. Sear's Vaccine Book, American Academy of Pediatrics: Caring for Your Young Baby, Baby Bargains andMy Baby Compass/ Birth to Two.

Dress baby for comfort at bedtime

Provide infant gowns with fold over cuffs, kimono tees, onesies and footed sleepers. Have at least four of each of these. Infant socks, caps and fleece zip ups may be needed depending on the temperature when you go outside. A fleece swaddle me is helpful to keep baby secure at bedtime. Have baby sleep face up, supported by rolled receiving blankets or a foam mold due to a concern of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you have questions, ask your health care provider.

Prepare for diaper blow outs and clean ups

Fitting a diaper so there are no leaks is an art. Diaper baby with cloth or plastic diapers that fit correctly by checking the size. Placing a heating pad under the changing table and using a wipe warmer makes baby very happy while changing the diaper. Think about it, baby is warm and content and then you wipe him with a cold towel and you wonder why he cries?

Don't leave the house without having a diaper bag supplied with diapers, cream, change of clothes, wipes, a rattle and bottles for on the go. Use receiving blankets for swaddling, laying on the changing table or while nursing to help with those sudden clean ups. Cloth diapers make great burp rags to keep your clothes clean from those unexpected spit ups.

Monitor baby's health and wellness

An important skill you can learn (but hopefully will never have to use) is CPR and first aid training. Call the American Red Cross or ask your health care provider where you can attend a class. I have saved an adult and a baby by knowing how to perform CPR.

For baby's daily care, use a bulb aspirator to keep baby's nose clean, an under the arm thermometer to take baby's temperature and Gripe Water if baby's tummy is slightly upset. Hydrocortisone cream with aloe works for bad cradle cap but check with your health care provider to make sure that is the problem. When out of your baby's room, use a baby monitor that is either battery operated or with an AC adapter to allow you to hear what baby is doing.

Travel safely with baby

Place baby in a safe car seat and use rear seat mirrors to monitor your baby in the back seat. Make sure the car seat you choose meets safety specifications. Other convenient items include: Pack-n-play, a stroller or jogger (some come with an adapter car seat which is very convenient). When staying in a hotel, portable cribs can be dangerous. Check all cribs and any products you buy to make sure there hasn't been a manufacturer recall.

Fun baby trappings

Baby swings and bouncy chairs provide movement to help soothe baby. Rattles, teething rings, silky blankets and stuffed animals provide texture to help baby learn about his environment by exploring these items with his mouth and hands. Mobiles, baby mirrors and light activated toys improve baby's vision. Sound activated toys can improve baby's cause and effect responses. If baby touches a sound activated toy, he hears a sound and he will then realize he was the reason the toy made the sound.

Talk, read and sing to your baby

So now that we have met all of your baby's physical needs, the most important thing you can do is to talk to your baby. While you are dressing, bathing or playing with baby, talk as if your baby couldn't see and you are describing everything you are doing. Why is this important? That is how baby learns to make sounds, understand words and identify simple gestures or baby signs. Even if you aren't a good singer, baby will love your voice. Music can soothe a fussy baby and it can be fun for you too.

Record your child's developmental milestones

With 1 out of 50 children diagnosed with autism (CDC, Atlanta), 9 out of 10 children experiencing a temporary hearing loss (American Speech and Hearing Association) and 2 out of 10 children diagnosed with a developmental delay, it is important that a parent understand what milestones a typical child should be able to achieve. Record your child's developmental history because if there is a delay, your health care provider will want details about the progression of those developmental milestones.

Remember, stay calm, be happy, give lots of kisses and hugs, trust your intuition and don't worry.

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