Accepting new patients
Most major insurance — not Kaiser only
RCEB vendorized
Scholarship support available
Clinical services · Happy Talkers
Infant & early childhood development program
The first three years of life are the most critical window for brain development. When a family has concerns about their toddler — milestones, feeding, movement, social connection, or overall development — early support makes the biggest difference. Our Infant Development Program (IDP) serves children from 18 months through age 3 and their families.
IDP at a glance
Developmental milestone monitoring
Feeding & oral motor support
Motor development
Early communication
Parent coaching & education
RCEB Early Start coordination
🕐 Ages served: 18 months – 3 years
✓ Most major insurance accepted
✓ RCEB vendorized (HB0732)
✓ Scholarship support available
✓ RCEB vendorized (HB0732)
✓ Scholarship support available
About this service
What the infant development program addresses
The Infant Development Program at Happy Talkers provides comprehensive developmental support for children from 18 months through age 3 — a period when early intervention has its greatest impact. Our infant development specialists work across all developmental domains: motor, communication, social-emotional, cognitive, and adaptive skills.
Unlike single-discipline therapy, the IDP takes a whole-child view. We also work closely with families, because in the earliest years, parents are the most important intervention agent in their child’s life. Coaching and education for caregivers is built into every aspect of the program.
“The brain is more plastic in the first three years than at any other time in life. Early support doesn’t just help children catch up — it changes the developmental trajectory entirely.”
What we address
Developmental milestone delays
Feeding difficulties
Low muscle tone
Motor development delays
Early communication concerns
Social-emotional development
Sensory sensitivities
Premature birth follow-up
Autism early signs
Parent coaching & support
Developmental stages
What we watch for at each stage
If you have concerns at any age below, contact us. Early is always better — and a concern that doesn’t turn into anything is still worth checking.
18 – 21 months
Early language & movement
No words or fewer than 10 words, difficulty walking steadily, limited pointing or gesturing, not imitating actions, or significant feeding selectivity.
21 – 24 months
Language & play
Fewer than 50 words, no two-word combinations, limited pretend play, rigid routines, significant tantrums, or difficulty separating from caregivers.
2 – 2.5 years
Communication & behavior
Hard to understand by familiar adults, limited use of sentences, difficulty with transitions, repetitive behaviors, or persistent feeding challenges.
2.5 – 3 years
Preschool readiness
Hard to understand by strangers, difficulty with peer interaction, ongoing sensory challenges, limited self-care skills, or not yet toilet training by age 3.
Any age in this range
Loss of skills
Regression — losing words, skills, or behaviors your child had previously acquired — is always a reason to reach out promptly, regardless of age.
Any age in this range
Parental concern
If something feels off — even if you can’t name it — trust your instincts. Parents notice things that milestone checklists miss. You don’t need a diagnosis to call us.
What to expect
How the program works
The IDP is family-centered and relationship-based. Everything we do is designed to support your child’s development within the context of your family’s daily life.
1
Developmental evaluation
A comprehensive assessment across all developmental domains — motor, communication, social-emotional, adaptive, and cognitive. We also gather a detailed family history and hear your observations and concerns as the parent who knows your child best.
2
Individualized family service plan
We develop a plan built around your child’s strengths and needs — and your family’s goals. For children eligible for RCEB Early Start services, we coordinate with your service coordinator to align the plan with your IFSP.
3
Home & clinic-based sessions
IDP services can be delivered in the clinic, in your home, or in natural community settings depending on your child’s age and needs. Sessions are play-based and embedded in your child’s everyday routines.
4
Parent coaching
You are the most important person in your child’s development. Every IDP session includes coaching for you — practical strategies to support your child’s communication, motor development, feeding, and emotional regulation throughout the day.
5
Transition planning
As your child approaches age 3, we support the transition from Early Start to school-based services or other ongoing support. We coordinate with your local school district and RCEB to make the handoff smooth.
✓
RCEB Early Start coordination
Happy Talkers is vendorized through RCEB (HB0732). If your child is eligible for Early Start, we work directly with your Regional Center service coordinator to deliver services under your IFSP.
Infant development connects to everything.
Many toddlers in the IDP also benefit from speech therapy, occupational therapy, or early behavioral support. At Happy Talkers, these services are coordinated from the start — so your child’s whole developmental picture is addressed, not just one piece of it.
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Behavioral therapy (ABA)
Infant development
Diagnostics (ADOS)
Parent questions
Frequently asked questions
It is never too early to reach out. The most common thing we hear from families is that they wish they had called sooner. If something feels off — even if you can’t quite name it — trust your instincts and contact us. A concern that doesn’t turn into a diagnosis is still worth checking. And if there is something we can support, earlier is always better.
Early Start is California’s early intervention program for children birth through age 2 who have developmental delays or established conditions that put them at risk for delays. It’s administered by the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB). Services are provided at no cost to families. Happy Talkers is vendorized to deliver IDP services through RCEB (vendor number HB0732). If you think your child may be eligible, contact us or reach out directly to RCEB for a referral.
Coverage depends on the specific services your child receives. Many IDP services are covered by major commercial insurance plans. We are also vendorized through RCEB for Early Start-eligible children. Our intake team will review your insurance and help you understand what’s covered before your first appointment.
Yes — for premature infants, developmental milestones are typically assessed using adjusted (corrected) age rather than chronological age, up to about 24 months. For example, if your baby was born 8 weeks early and is now 6 months old chronologically, you’d evaluate their milestones against a 4-month-old. Our team is experienced in premature infant development and will work with your child’s adjusted age in all assessments.
At age 3, children transition out of Early Start and into school-based services or other ongoing support through the local education agency (LEA). This transition — sometimes called "aging out" — can feel abrupt. We begin planning well before your child’s third birthday to make it as smooth as possible. If your child needs continued therapy services, they can often continue with our speech, OT, or behavioral teams under school-age service structures.
Contact us regardless of where your child is in this window. Even if your child is close to 3, we can complete an evaluation, connect you with the right services, and begin transition planning to ensure continuity of care as they age into school-based eligibility. Starting now is better than waiting.
For families
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your child and we’ll help find the right services, verify your insurance, and connect you with our intake team — before your first appointment. No diagnosis needed.
Get started →
For providers
Referring a patient?
Submit a referral online, fax to (925) 236-9712, or call (925) 829-9555. We handle insurance verification and contact the family within 1 business day.
Submit referral →