For military families new to Monterey, a specialized care provider can help identify services available in the community. But the path to finding the right provider can be daunting. There are excellent resources offered by the military and the Monterey community to help parents navigate specialized care.

Think your child may need extra support? The best place to start is your pediatrician’s office. They have experience navigating the referral process and getting the necessary paperwork started. Pediatricians often screen for common concerns at routine visits but don’t hesitate to ask questions if you think that something needs extra attention. 

Once a referral is approved, a specialist can help guide care based on your child’s needs. Evaluation is helpful to both determine where each child needs support as well as where they excel. A care plan can include opportunities in the natural environment to build skills as well as more intense interventions.

The Fleet and Family Support Center and Army Community Services are both excellent resources for connecting military families with specialized providers in our community. Experts at the Exceptional Family Member Program can also provide insight. Some providers even come to playgroups to meet and educate families.

Speech therapy is one of the first specialized care opportunities available, often around 18 months or 2 years. But it can be beneficial even earlier. Alongside lactation consultants, speech therapists can provide insight during feeding. “The cues your child is providing during feeding are the first form of communication and the beginning of language development,” says Jenn D’Attilio at Central Coast Language and Learning.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy are other services that can help with mobility and developmental needs. Natalie Sanders, Director of Therasens Occupational Therapy, works with many military families as part of their care team. “Early intervention is key,” she says, recommending that parents take advantage of the numerous resources available in the Monterey area. Keep in mind that there may be resources available here that weren’t at your last duty station. This is where working with a specialist can help identify what services are right for you.

Following through on a specialized care plan can be difficult during military moves. Telemedicine allows providers and patients to stay connected using video call technology. Jenn and her team use telemedicine to ensure continuity of care for patients and to allow military spouses on their team to continue providing care. As you plan for a move, ask your provider if telemedicine is an option.

TRICARE, the military insurance network, also offers case management services free of charge for those needing continuous, high-needs care. Natalie recommends working with a case manager if your child needs more intense interventions to make sure that you are set up at your new duty station. Contact TRICARE West at 1-844-866-WEST to see if working with a case manager may be right for your situation.

Katie Begley is a Navy veteran and military spouse. Katie is an advertising sales executive for Monterey Bay Parent Magazine. She is the mother of 19 month-old and six-month-old sons