Are you concerned about your child’s development ? AreAre you concerned about you concerned about your childyour child’’s development s development ? ?

For exampleFor example……

Toyota-shi Kodomo Hattatsu Center

(Toyota Municipal Child Development Center)

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Parents of these children may find themselves frustrated when the child does not respond to their words, losing confidence in their child-raising abilities or even resorting to overly-harsh discipline.Developmental disabilities are a potential source of the problems listed above. Parents should speak with a specialist and learn how to deal with their situation.

Disappearance of acquired speech.Communication is difficult.The child shows no interest in other children, and does not play with others.

Motor control (holding head straight, sitting without support, walking, etc.) is developing slowly.The child’s body is limp, and has difficulty sitting or standing up straight.The child doesn’t show much facial expressions.Speech delay, or has a small vocabulary.

The child does not nap, has trouble falling asleep, or continues crying through the night.The child will not eat, or will accept only limited kinds of foods , (picky eater).Inability to establish regular rhythms for eating , sleeping.

The child never makes eye contact or only with difficulty.The child shows extreme aversion to being held.The child does not respond to being called.

The child is frequently violent, throwing tantrums or self-harming (throwing him- or herself to the floor, hitting his or her head against a wall, etc.).

The child shows no response to loud noises, either surprise or turning to face the source of the sound.The child shows no interest in noise-making toys.The child does not respond when called by someone who is not in his or her sight.

The child does not play games.The child hates and avoids some ordinary things.The child is extremely fussy about certain things.

The child is restless and cannot fit in group activities.The child’s behavior seems self-centered, will not follow instructions. He or she moves around a lot and requires constant supervision.

0-3 years old

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Characteristics described above are often attributed to problems with home discipline or the child’s personality. They can also be a source of tension within the family , causing parents to lose confidence in their child-raising abilities or even resort to overly-harsh discipline.Developmental disabilities are a potential source of the problems listed above. Parents should speak with a specialist and learn how to deal with the situation.

The child takes time to get started on studying and is not good at tidying up afterwards.The child cannot participate in group activities like other children.

The child acts by his or her own will and will not follow instructions.The child shows no interest in other children and does not play with others.The child has difficulty playing with others and often throws tantrums.

The child begins and ends conversations abruptly.Same questions and topics of conversation are repeated.The child speaks without considering others’ abilities or interests.

The child shows extremes of ability; some things come very easily and others are exceedingly difficult.Obsessive interests (string, specific colors, trademarks, blocks, words, numbers, etc.)

The child does not follow rules or adhere to routines.The child makes no attempt to cooperate when playing games with friends.

The child takes time to get toilet trained, or to learn to get dressed by themselves.The child has difficulty understanding what other people are saying.The child has difficulty drawing or using scissors.The child has difficulty understanding the meaning of letters or numbers.

The child has no control over the appropriateness of what he or she says.The child might be fluent in speech but he or she cannot understand others’ feelings or points of view , or situations.

The child is restless and constantly moving.The child does not make eye contact or pay attention to people speaking to him or her.The child wanders off alone when he or she goes out.The child does not listen to explanations and disregards instructions.

3-6 years old (pre-school)

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You can get help with these　problems.Toyota City offers consultations through a number of – if you have any worry about your child raising, pleaseToyota City’s main consultation services

All the consultation services listed here are

Name Available Topics of Counseling Target Group

Toyta-shi Kodomo Katei-ka

(Toyota City Child and Family Division)

Children’s physical examinations; consultation regarding

pregnancy, childbirth and child rearing; procedures for

single-parent families

City Residents

Toyota kosodate sougou shien center (Ai-ai)

(Toyota General Parenting Support Center) Diet, excretion, sleep, language, play, discipline, etc.

Children 18 and

below and guardians

Toyota-shi Hoiku ka

(Toyota City Childcare Division) Topics relating to preschools

Kindergarten-age

Children and

Guardians

Toyota-shi kyouiku iinkai Gakkou kyouiku ka

(Toyota City Board of Education Formal Education

Division)

Topics relating to formal education

Elementary and

Middle School

Students and

Toyota-shi Seishonen Soudan center (PALC

Toyota)

Toyota City Youth Counseling Center

School refusal, delinquency, relationships, education, and

development, as well as entrance into elementary and junior

high school and related topics

Young People 20 and

Below and Guardians

Toyota-shi Kodomo Hattatsu Center

(Toyota Municipal Development Center)

Consultation, medical examinations, and training concerning

development.

Children 18 and

Under with

Developmental

Concerns and

Toyota-Kamo Jidou Shougaisya Soudan ceter

(Toyota Kamo Consultation Center for Children

and the Disabled)

Consultations concerning upbringing; Rehabilitation

certificates; Utilization of facilities

Children 18 and

Under and Guardians

Toyota-shi Shougai Fukushi-ka

(Disability Welfare Division) System, procedure and issuance of disability welfare

Children Who May

Have Physical or

Mental Disabilities

and Guardians

Toyota-shi Kodomo Katei-ka, Katei Jidou

Soudanshitsu

(Toyota City Child and Household Division Child

Guidance Department)

Concerns with bringing up children

Toyota-shi Iryou Anzen Shien center (Toyota

City Medical Safety Assistance Center) Topics concerned with medical care

City Residents or

Individuals Using City

Medical Institutions

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Note about interpretation“Interpretation available”: Interpreters are available on-site at all times.“Interpretation available by request”: Interpreters can be provided if asked for.“No interpretation available”: Interpreters must be hired from outside.

agencies. They are listed in the chart belowcome in and talk to an expert.

available free of charge!

Days Time Telephone

Number

Interpretation

Available

Interpretation

Available by Request

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

8:30～17:15 (0565)

34-6636

Portuguese

Spanish English

Monday

and

Wednesday

through

10:00～

18:00

(0565)

37-7071 Not available

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

8:30～17:15 (0565)

34-6809

Portuguese

Spanish English

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

8:30～17:15 (0565)

34-6662 Not available

Mon-Sat

(Closed

Holidays)

9:00～17:00 (0565)

33-9955 Not available

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

8:30～17:00 (0565)

32-8981 Not available

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

9:00～17:15 (0565)

33-2211 Not available

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

8:30～17:00 (0565)

34-6751

English

Portuguese

Spanish

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

9:00～17:00 (0565)

35-1152

Portuguese

Spanish English

Mon-Fri

(Closed

Holidays)

8:30～12:00

13:00～

17:00

（0565）

34-6776

English

Portuguese

Spanish

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Contact from the city about medical examinations and consultationsCity hall, a nursery school, or a kindergarten will contact you about some medical examinations and consultations described below. These examinations and consultations are extremely important for assessing your child’s development, so please make use of them. (Details are available at the Toyota City homepage.)

①3- or 4-month checkup

This period is a critical milestone for the infants. This examination is an important opportunity to check up on the status of your child’s physical growth and development. It includes a physical examination of your child’s growth, including height and weight, a consultation with a nurse, and a demonstration of recommended procedures for introducing solids from a nutritionist.This consultation is designed for infants three to four months old. Please contact Toyota city hall’s Child and Family division if your child is already 5 months old or older.

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②18-month checkup

This period is very important developmentally, with many changestaking place as your child learns to walk and speak. This examination occurs at an important developmental turning point – please be sure to take part. It includes a physical examination of your child’s growth including height and weight measurements, a dental examination, and a consultation with a nurse. A fluorine application is available upon request for an additional charge.This checkup is designed for children between the ages of 18 months and two years.

Fluorine applicationFluorine strengthens the enamel that forms the surface of teeth, and suppresses the activity of the bacteria that cause cavities. For this reason, it is an important means of tooth decay prevention.

Contact InformationToyota City Hall Child and Family DivisionToyota City Homepage (Portuguese and English available)TEL　0565-34-6636

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③3-year checkup

Children begin to develop psychologically and socially in addition to physical growth at this age. This is another important developmental stage, and this checkup is very important. The examination includes a medical interview, urinalysis, measurement of height and weight, and internal and dental examinations, as well as audiovisual testing and consultations with a nurse, a nutritionist and a psychologist.This examination is targeted at children between the ages of three and four years old.

　　　Vision TestingDevelopment of eyesight begins in infancy and continues until about the age of six. By the age of three, most children have eyesight of 0.5 or better. Vision defects detected before this age are often curable with proper rehabilitation. You will receive instructions for tests you can do at home along with the information about the 3-year checkup. Please perform these tests before coming in for checkup.

Hearing TestingThis examination tests for deafness and chronic illnesses of the ears. Mild deafness is often overlooked, so it is very important to perform this test before the child is three years old. Please perform the tests at home before coming in for checkup.

You may come to these examinations after the date listed on the form sent by the city hall, but children who are older than the ages listed may not take the examination. These examinations arefree of charge, so please don’t hesitate to make use of them.

Contact InformationToyota City Hall Child and Family DivisionToyota City Homepage (Portuguese and English available)TEL　0565-34-6636

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④4. School Consultation Meeting

We understand that parents of children who may be handicapped, or who have difficult behaviors that might interfere with their school activities, may be concerned about whether their children can attend elementary school or continue on to junior high school. The Board of Education holds this school consultation meeting to give parents an opportunity to receive consultation about such matters.At this meeting, specialists are on hand to respond to parents’questions about their children’s abilities, what parents can do to help their children get the most out of school, and what kind ofeducational environment is best for their children.This meeting is targeted at children who are eligible to enter elementary school or continue to junior high school in April of the following year, along with their caregivers.It is held in June and September each year. Applications will bedistributed through preschools starting in April.Parents can submit an application at their preschool, or may apply directly at the Youth Consultation Center (Paruku Toyota).Please indicate whether you need interpretation services when you apply.

Contact InformationYouth Consultation Center Paruku ToyotaTEL　0565-32-6595

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International Exchange Association（Kokusai Kouryuu Kyoukai）Tel 0565-33-5631Interpretation in Portuguese, Chinese, and English is available.

Interpretation Services

Interpreter may be able to accompany you to a consultation or a doctor’s visit.For more detailed information ,　please contact the association below.

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Children with learning disabilities can do most things at their age level, but have trouble with reading and writing, arithmetic, and similar topics.

This disorder is characterized by difficulty with impulse control and a short attention span, often coupled with energetic behavior and a unique sense of creativity.

Learning DisabilitiesAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

These children have impaired hearing. Complete or near-complete deafness may be diagnosed when the child is an infant, but many children who can hear, but not well, are only diagnosed when it is noticed that they are having difficulty learning to speak.

Children with intellectual disability often require assistance even after they learn to take care of daily activities on their own, and may lag behind the average in intellectual functioning from a very early age. Many such children start speaking late, have trouble learning to use the toilet or dress themselves, or are unable to play with other children their age.

DeafnessMental Retardation

1. Difficulty forming connections with people2. Difficulty with communication (verbal and non-verbal)3. Lack of flexibility, obsessive interestsThese are the three primary signs of autism. Autism is a physical disorder of the brain, and not a psychological disorder. Individuals who can communicate to some degree or another, but otherwise meet these three criteria, may have Asperger’s Syndrome.

Autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder)

Difficult-to-notice Disabilities and their characteristics

This section will introduce some disorders that are difficult to spot at home, and the traits by which they can be recognized. This sort of disability may be wrongly blamed on insufficient discipline at home and problems with parent-child interaction, as well as problems with the child’s personality.

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If you think your child might be disabled…

It is important to see a physician for a medical examination if you think your child might be disabled. Contact Toyota Municipal Child Development Center to make an appointment. You may not be able to see a doctor immediately, but the Development Center staff may be able to help you shorten the wait.

There are no interpretation services available at Toyota Municipal Child Development Center. The examiner and consultant will need to ask you about your child’s developmental history and everyday circumstances, so we may need to ask you to arrange for an interpreter. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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Toyota-shi Kodomo Hattatsu Center (Toyota Municipal Child Development Center)

　Toyota Municipal Child Development Center provides support for families who are concerned their children’s development.Its objective is the same as when it was established in April 1996 – it is intended to function as a place like an oasis for children and their families.

The Center has a number of departments providing consultation, as well as departments providing once- or twice-a-week outpatient rehabilitation for parents and children, as well as medical examinations and individual therapies. In addition, there are three nursery schools for children with disabilities.

The Center is available for use by all children with developmental concerns aged 18 or under living in Toyota or Miyoshi Cities (also including adults with severe physical and mental disabilities).

Location and Contact InformationToyota City Nishiyama-cho 2-chome 19-banchiTel: 0565-32-8981Fax: 0565-32-8902

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If you learn that your child is disabled

Making adjustments to your child’s environmental settings and appropriate involvement with him or her based on a medical specialist’s diagnosis and advice will have a positive effect on your child. Don’t panic – deal with the situation calmly. Toyota Municipal Child Development Center can help you.

Medical examinations and treatment

　Toyota Municipal Child Development Center’s Diagnosis Department (the Nozomi Clinic) is staffed with physicians specialized in child development. In addition, specialists on staff, according to physian’s order, can provide assessment and treatment for children with developmental concerns. These tests include intelligence and development tests, hearing tests,X-rays, and EEG. If necessary, physical, occupational, or speech-language-hearing therapies are also available. We will explain in detail about what is best for your child.

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Pharmacological treatment

There is no medicinal cure for disability, but in some cases medicine can help ease the symptoms often seen in developmentally challenged children. For example, an anticonvulsant will help control the seizures of an epileptic patient, a sleep-inducing drug will help a child with irregular sleep rhythms, a mild tranquilizer will reduce anxiety, and a stimulant will help a child with ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) to stay focused. Most importantly, drugs used responsibly can make it easier to adjust to daily life. According to the child’s condition, pharmacological treatment may be continued for an extended period of time. Drugs described above have an affect on central nervous system, and it is very important to consult your physician about the effects of the prescribed medications and your child’s reaction to them.

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The welfare systemA number of forms of aid are available for the disabled. In order to receive them, you must first be furnished with a Disability Certificate. Disability Certificates for children will be either Physical Disability Certificates or Rehabilitation Certificates.

Acquiring a welfare certificateWith a certificate, you are eligible to the following services:・ Receipt of allowances (the size of the allowance depends on the

degree of disability; additional medical certificates may be required)

・ Assistance with medical expenses (amount of assistance depends on the degree of disability)

・ Support for purchase of prosthetics (a certificate for the physically disabled is required; support depends on the kind anddegree of disability)

・ Rail transit discount・ Airfare discount (domestic flights)・ Toll road discounts (the size of the discount depends on the

degree and kind of disability)・ Prefectural housing rent reduction and priority placement

(depending on the degree of disability)・ Income tax abatement, prefectural and municipal tax abatement・ Welfare fund loansIn addition, reductions in admission fees for public facilities may be

available.

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Having a certificate will also makes it easier for handicapped children when using facilities for disabled persons or welfare services.

Please consult with your local organizations (see pages 3 and 4)to learn about specific services and uses.

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Physical Disability Certificates

Physical Disability CertificatesPhysically disabled persons whose disabilities meet the conditions of disability welfare regulations are eligible to apply for a certificate.

Physically Disabled PersonsIndividuals with physical disabilities as established by law, including disabilities of sight, hearing, and the body, who havereceived a Physical Disability Certificate, are known as Physically Disabled Persons (according to the disability welfare regulations). For more specific information about which disabilities apply, please consult a medical institution or consultation agency.

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Applying for a Physical Disability CertificateToyota City Hall Welfare and Health Department Disability Welfare Division, or at one of the branch offices in Asahi, Asuke, Inabu, Ohara, Shimoyama, or Fujioka, are in change of the application.The following documents are required for the application:

1. Physical Disability Certificate Grant Application Form

2. Medical Certificate or Written Opinion from a Designated Physician

Please note that designated physicians who may write a medical certificate for the physical disability certificate application are only those who are so designated by the prefectural and city government.

3. Photograph of the applicant (4cm high by 3cm wide, showing the applicant from the torso up, with no hat)

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Issuance of the Physical Disability Certificate

Issuance of the Physical Disability Certificate will be authorized after the city verifies the medical certificate attached to the submitted application.If the issuance of the Physical Disability Certificate is authorized, an explanation of the welfare system and the Physical Disability Certificate will be given when you receive the Physical Disability Certificate.In most cases, when the written application is accepted, the Physical Disability Certificate is prepared in about three weeks, but difficult-to-judge cases may require an enquiry by a social welfare commission of enquiry and special judgment. Such cases may require one or two months more.

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Ryouiku-Techo(Rehabilitation Certificates）

This section will explain the application procedure for Ryouiku-Techo(Rehabilitation Certificates）. Individuals with developmental disabilities are assessed for intellectual function (IQ), ability to take care of their daily life activities, and need for nursing care, and a certificate indicating their assessment will be provided.Depending on the region, this certificate may also be known as “Aigo-Techo ” (“Aigo” means to love and protect） or “ Aino-Techo” (“Ai” means love and “techo” is a certificate). Individuals who received their certificates outside of Aichi Prefecture should be especially careful.

Applying for the Rehabilitation CertificatePlease note that the deciding agency will be different dependingon the applicant’s age and circumstances.Applications for Individuals 18 years old and youngerAgency: Toyota-Kamo Jidou Shougaisya Soudan ceter(Aichi Prefecture Toyota Kamo Consultation Center for Children and the Disabled)Tel: 0565-33-2211

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(1)Decision appointment and interviewAfter making an appointment at the Aichi Prefecture Toyota Kamo Consultation Center for Children and the Disabled, an interview will be arranged. At this time, the guardian will be interviewed and an intelligence test will be administered to the applicant.

(2)Grant ApplicationAfter the interview at the Aichi Prefecture Toyota Kamo Juvenileand Disabled Consultation Center, please submit the application. The applicant’s photograph (4cm high and 3 cm wide) and personal seal is required.The application may be submitted at the Toyota city hall Welfare and Health Department Disability Welfare Division, or at one of the branch offices in Asahi, Asuke, Inabu, Ohara, Shimoyama, or Fujioka.

(3) Delivery of the certificate and paperworkThe Rehabilitation Certificate will be delivered two to three weeks after application. An explanation of the welfare system will be given when you receive the Rehabilitation Certificate.

Applications for Individuals over 18 years of ageThe agency is the Aichi Prefecture Nishimikawa Consultation Center for Children and the Disabled (Tel: 0564-27-2779) located in Okazaki City. Please note that the required paperwork is slightly different.

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Things to remember after receiving the certificate・The certificate may not be transferred or lent to another

individual.・ In the event of a change of address or name, or if the

certificate is lost or damaged, please apply for issuance of a new certificate.

・ Please apply for issuance of a new certificate for physically handicapped individuals if you feel that the condition of the disability has changed.

・ A system is in place for reevaluation for rehabilitation certificates, to confirm the degree of the disability. Please apply for reevaluation at the appropriate time.

・ Children issued physical disability certificates must have the degree of their disability reassessed before entering school.

March 2012Toyota-shi Kodomo Hattatsu Ceter（Toyota Municipal Child　Development Center）Soudan-gairairyouiku bumon（Consultative and Early intervention division）

Thanks to the organizations below, who helped us put together a booklet to meet the needs of foreigners living in Japan.Nishihomi shougakkkou(Nishihomi Elementary School)Higashihomi kodomo-en(Higashihomi Nursery School)Illustrations were provided by Watanabe Fumi, and may be found on her home page.