Autism Levels: Why They Matter and Why the Criticism Misses the Point

Elwyn’s Early Learning Services (ELS) offers Preschool Early Intervention programs for children aged three to school entry, focusing on those with developmental delays and disabilities in Philadelphia County and the city of Chester.

Each year, ELS supports approximately 10,000 children, aiming to promote development and enhance family and community capacity to support long-term growth.

Services include intake assessments, multidisciplinary evaluations to determine eligibility, case management (LEA Representation), and tailored early intervention services. Families with developmental concerns about their children are encouraged to contact ELS to schedule evaluations.

 For assistance, families can reach out via the Access to Care line at 215-222-8054 or complete an online referral form. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.

ELS operates multiple regional centers:

• North-East: Phone: 215-222-8054, Email: ELS-North-Northeast@elwyn.org, Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30AM – 4:30PM.

• Northwest-Central: Phone: 215-222-8054, Email: ELS-Northwest-Central@elwyn.org, Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30AM – 4:30PM.

• South-West: Phone: 215-222-8054, Email: ELS-South-West@elwyn.org, Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30AM – 4:30PM.

• City of Chester: Phone: 215-222-8054, Email: ELS-Chester@elwyn.org, Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00AM – 4:00PM.

  
  For more detailed information, including resources for families and early childhood education providers, visit Elwyn’s Early Learning Services page.

The Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is a Governor-appointed council that advises and assists the Departments of Health, Education, and Human Services to ensure a comprehensive delivery system of integrated Early Intervention programs and services for eligible infants, toddlers, young children, and their families.

Vision for the Early Intervention System:

• A comprehensive, coordinated, collaborative, and cohesive system of supports optimizing a child’s development throughout their transitions, emphasizing their value in society.

• Supporting, not supplanting, the family’s responsibility of caring for their children.

• Ensuring all children are active participants in the community as children first, not defined by disability, with necessary adaptations.

• Upholding the concept of inclusion for all children.

• Prioritizing a family’s selection of resources through a team decision process.

• Utilizing existing community resources and encouraging the involvement of all citizens.

• Ensuring appropriate and adequate funding.

• Acting as the central sounding board of the Early Intervention community.

Meeting Schedule:

The SICC holds meetings to discuss and plan Early Intervention initiatives. The 2024-2025 meeting schedule is as follows:

• August 1, 2024

• October 10, 2024 (Note: This meeting is on the second Thursday due to Rosh Hashanah)

• December 5, 2024

• February 6, 2025

• April 3, 2025

• June 5, 2025

All meetings are scheduled from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM and will be held virtually via Zoom until further notice.

Membership:

The SICC comprises various stakeholders, including parents, providers, and representatives from state departments. As of January 13, 2025, the co-chairs are:

• Dr. Sadia Batool: Parent representative.

• Dr. Kris Bowman: Provider and personnel preparation representative.

For a complete list of members and their roles, refer to the SICC Membership List.

Contact Information:

To receive ongoing communications regarding the SICC, including meeting notifications, please email RA-PWSICC@pa.gov.

For more detailed information, including resources and publications related to Early Intervention, visit the Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal.

Here is a downloadable list of LICCs 

Raising little humans doesn’t have to be a rollercoaster

When you first learn about the benefits of a Montessori education, it’s usually child-focused.

You’ve probably heard that Montessori:

• Makes kids more independent
• Fosters their concentration skills
• Instills a genuine love for work

And all of these are true!

But apart from the developmental benefits for your children, why should you — the parent — be excited about Montessori?

In short, one of the best things about raising confident, kind, happy kids is that it makes parenting easier.

The childhood benefits of Montessori naturally extend to you, soothing the trials and tribulations that come with raising little humans.

Here’s what we mean:

How Montessori makes parenting better

Helping hands

For toddlers, “work” might look like:

• Sweeping the floor
• Preparing snacks
• Washing dishes
• Hanging clothes on a drying rack

These tasks allow your child to help around the house from an early age, instilling a genuine love for contributing to your family.

When approached in this way, chores don’t become an annoyance that you have to nag your kids to complete. On the contrary, children who love to work gravitate toward their responsibilities with excitement.

Of course, including your little one in cooking and cleaning projects will temporarily slow your pace. It takes effort to teach them how to properly slice a banana or sort laundry — and messes are bound to happen.

But in the long run, your child will master the skills they need to be truly helpful. And in the interim, they will gain more confidence and self-esteem than any amount of praise can give them.

Better moods

There are few things more exhausting than your child waking up on the wrong side of the bed. This is just part of life — but thankfully, there is a Montessori approach to mitigate it.

When our kids act out, it’s usually because their developmental needs aren’t being met. Once we understand what these needs are — in every stage of life — we can work with them, rather than against them.

When we ignore these developmental needs (whether by intervening in their social relationships or breaking their focus), our children tend to develop a sour mood — and the same goes for all ages.

*cue toddler tantrums and rebellion in our teens*

On the other hand, when we lean into our kids’ developmental needs and interests, they come alive. They’re more content, energetic, and excited about life — and that means less stress for you.

Plus, by recognizing that each stage of development presents unique opportunities for your child’s growth, you can become a more curious observer:

Less pressure

“Observing the child” is a Montessori concept that enables parents to truly understand and cultivate their children’s needs, interests, and capabilities.

If we…

• try to enforce a strict schedule,
• constantly quiz our little ones (on the color of their toys, etc.),
• or interrupt our kids’ focus

… we deprive them of the opportunity to learn and grow on their own.

Maybe your toddler wants to organize their toys not by color but by shape and size. Perhaps pointing out what they could be doing differently is distracting them from the work they need to do.

When we step back and observe, we learn so much about our kids. When we ask for their input, they get excited about being included.

Children are more eager to listen, behave well, and turn off their screens when we’re attuned to their needs and state of being (e.g., concentrating on a project of importance to them).

When they know we’re listening and that we care, they’re more likely to be open to our questions, suggestions, and requests.

This method takes the pressure off you, the parent, to constantly lead your children in the right direction. In fact, by following your observations of them, you’re more likely to raise happy, healthy individuals.

No need to entertain

Allowing your children to play independently builds their focus and gives them confidence — but it also means that you don’t need to constantly entertain them.

Many of us are used to brainstorming activities, outings, and games for our kids, but the reality is that they’re largely capable of entertaining themselves.

The Montessori curriculum emphasizes that children need (and enjoy) long, uninterrupted periods of independent focus. This is enabled by:

• An environment where it’s safe for them to roam freely
• Materials that make learning natural and pleasant
• The knowledge that boredom is okay
• Lots of practice and repetition

With these in place, even toddlers can entertain themselves for a couple of hours without adult intervention — and that means a more flexible schedule for you.

Grace and courtesy

When children learn how to greet others, express gratitude, and navigate social situations with confidence, they require fewer reminders and interventions from you.

Instead of constant correction, you get to enjoy smoother daily interactions and a more peaceful home environment.

By modeling and reinforcing these skills, children naturally develop self-discipline and kindness, making parenting feel less like managing behavior and more like guiding a capable, respectful child.

Increased patience

Finally, when we let our kids solve their own problems, it builds their frustration tolerance, which can make them more patient and flexible overall.

The initial difficulty of tying their shoes or finishing their math homework makes way for positive long-term outcomes. These include:

• higher IQs,
• success in college and in the workforce,
• more courage and self-esteem,
• and, of course, increased patience.

Patient children are more pleasant to be around every day, right? Plus, when you can trust them to solve their own problems, it takes the pressure off you to be constantly on guard for the next mishap.

Frustration tolerance is essentially a deep breath for you, your child, and your entire household.

Montessori makes parenting more fulfilling, not because it breeds perfect children (nothing does!), but because it gives kids the tools to be helpful, pleasant, independent, and kind.

Give your children the opportunity, and they’ll show you just how wonderful parenting can be.

☀️ This week’s bright spots:

If you have one minute… Watch how to set up a Montessori entryway that encourages your toddler’s independence.

If you have five minutes… Read how self-regulation can make parenting more peaceful.

If you have ten minutes… Get the ultimate guide to Montessori at home.

Dennis McAndrews founded McAndrews Law Offices in 1982 to provide the families of Pennsylvania with exceptional legal representation in special education, estate planning and disability law.
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As You Are is a virtual clinic with a team of physicians who specialize in guiding families along their autism journey.

Do you ever notice things about your child while they play, interact or communicate? Maybe you are unsure if a diagnostic assessment is needed, but you wish you could chat with a doctor? We’re here to help!

A few quick reminders about As You Are:

• Available for kids 16 months – 10 years
• NEW: Re-Evaluations for ages 11-17
• Referrals are not required
• Insurance Accepted
• Benefits investigation before the 1st appointment

Our physicians help determine if your child’s behaviors are best explained by autism or another diagnosis, equipping you with the knowledge and resources needed to help your child flourish.

Bring your whole self. Bring your whole family. As You Are.
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