EDUCATIONAL SERVICES All children with mental retardation qualify for special education services. These are discussed in detail in our workshops for families with children in elementary school, and our workshop on youth and young adults. He may be able to receive other special services, such as summer school and after-school programs.

EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES go by many names. Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Childhood Tracking and Even Start are four common programs. It is very likely that your child from birth through age five will qualify for some type of early childhood program. These programs may provide speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy or other services. They almost always offer parent education, to help you teach your child language and help with other important developmental tasks.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE SERVICES You may be able to receive respite care. Respite care allows for families who care for a person with a disability to have a few hours or a few days off for time to meet their own personal needs, e.g., to visit another relative, attend a conference in another city, doctor's appointments or even Christmas shopping. Some respite care providers will offer other services, such as help with a behavior problem, or recreational activities for the person with a disability.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Depending on the family income, many children and young adults qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Click here to go to the Social Security Administration website for people with disabilities.