Development and learning: understanding your child’s next steps.
Families arrive here in different ways. You may have questions about your child’s communication, learning, behavior, routines, or everyday skills. A doctor, teacher, or other provider may have recommended an evaluation or shared a diagnosis. You may already know what support your child needs, or you may be gathering information for the first time.
This guide explains practical next steps, including early intervention, evaluations, school support, and community resources for families in Clermont and throughout Lake County. Atlas Care provides non-medical family navigation and education support; we do not diagnose or provide therapy.
Start with these four steps
- Gather your questions and observations. Write down the questions you have, what you have seen, or what a doctor, teacher, or other provider shared. A few notes are enough to start. Open the appointment notes (fillable PDF).
2. Talk with your child’s doctor or pediatrician. Share your notes and ask whether screening or an evaluation would help. Depending on age, they may suggest a specialist, Florida Early Steps (under 3), or district Child Find (age 3 and up). You may also contact these programs directly.
3. If your child is age 3 or older, contact your school district. Ask how to request an evaluation through Child Find or Exceptional Student Education (ESE). This includes children in public school, private school, homeschool, or not currently enrolled. The plan and services depend on eligibility and enrollment. Lake County Schools ESE.
4. Explore education choices that best fit your family. School programs and scholarship rules can change. Ask the district and any program you are considering about current options, eligibility and deadlines. You can stay in public school while exploring choices.
Support for you matters too
If the process feels overwhelming, ask someone you trust to help take notes or join a call. You do not have to understand every system or decide everything today. Parent groups, counseling, and respite resources may also help.
Common questions families ask
My child is not talking. Where do I start?
Tell your child’s doctor or pediatrician what you are noticing and ask about a hearing check and speech or developmental evaluation. You can also contact Florida Early Steps if your child is under 3. For preschool children not in public school, ask FDLRS Child Find; for a child in school, ask the school or district ESE office.
My child is struggling in school. What can I ask for?
Tell the teacher what is hard and what helps. Ask the school how to request an evaluation and what support is available while the process moves forward. You can keep your child in public school while exploring options.
How do I ask for a school evaluation?
Contact your local school or district ESE office. Explain your concerns in plain words and ask how to make a written request for an evaluation. You do not need to know the name of a disability to start the conversation.
What if my child lost skills they used to have?
Contact your child’s doctor or pediatrician promptly and describe which skills changed and when. The doctor can advise on the right medical next steps. If your child is in school, tell the school as well and ask about support.
How Atlas Care can help
Tell us what is happening and what feels most urgent, whether you have a diagnosis or not. We can help you organize your notes, identify people and resources to contact, plan questions for school and discuss Atlas Care’s available education programs. Start with our family intake.
We support families across Lake County, including Clermont. You can contact us even if you are unsure what to call the help you need.