How we write our guides

Sprig writes plain-language guides for parents of young children with speech, language or motor concerns. Each one starts with a short answer, then walks through your options in early intervention, school services and private therapy.

Where our facts come from

We build each guide from public sources you can check yourself, such as the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone checklists and IDEA, the federal special education law. Every guide lists its sources and the date we last checked them.

How we choose sources

We lean on public agencies and professional associations: the CDC for developmental milestones, the ECTA Center for how early intervention and preschool special education work under IDEA, the Center for Parent Information and Resources for school evaluations, ASHA for speech-language pathology and AOTA for occupational therapy. Each guide links to the pages it draws on so you can read them in full.

How we keep guides current

Each guide shows the date it was published and, after an edit, the date it was updated. We revisit guides as programs and rules change, and update the check date when we do.

How to use our guides

Guides help you understand your choices and prepare questions for your pediatrician, your school district or a therapist. They are general information. An evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist is the way to know what your child needs.

Spot something out of date?

Tell us through our contact form and we will look into it. You can also browse all guides.