What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is the process of providing services, education and support to young children who are deemed to have an established condition, those who are evaluated and deemed to have a diagnosed physical or mental condition (with a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay), an existing delay or a child who is at-risk of developing a delay or special need that may affect their development or impede their education. The purpose of early intervention is to lessen the effects of the disability or delay. Services are designed to identify and meet a child’s needs in five developmental areas, including: physical development, cognitive development, communication, social or emotional development, and adaptive development.
Early intervention programs and services may occur in a variety of settings, with a heavy emphasis on the natural environments. These programs and/or services are proven to be most effective when started as soon as the delay or disability is identified.
Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers foster the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as:
physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking); cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems); communication (talking, listening, understanding); social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy); and self-help (eating, dressing).
If an infant or toddler has a disability or a developmental delay in one or more of these developmental areas, that child will likely be eligible for early intervention services. Those services will be tailored to meet the child’s individual needs and may include:
Assistive technology (devices a child might need) Audiology or hearing services
Speech and language services
Counseling and training for a family
Medical services Nursing services Nutrition services Occupational therapy Physical therapy Psychological services
Services may also be provided to address the needs and priorities of the child’s family. Family- directed services are meant to help family members understand the special needs of their child and how to enhance his or her development.
Early intervention is intended for infants and toddlers who have a developmental delay or disability. Eligibility is determined by evaluating the child, with parents’ consent, to see if the youngster does, in fact, have a delay in development or a disability. Eligible children can receive early intervention services from birth through the third birthday (and sometimes beyond).
Early intervention is available in every state and territory of the United States. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires it–Part C of IDEA. That’s why you’ll sometimes hear early intervention referred to as Part C.
Sometimes it is known from the moment a child is born that early intervention services will be essential in helping the child grow and develop. Often this is so for children who are diagnosed at birth with a specific condition or who experience significant prematurity, very low birth weight, illness, or surgery soon after being born. Even before heading home from the hospital, this child’s parents may be given a referral to their local early intervention office.
Some children have a relatively routine entry into the world, but may develop more slowly than others, experience set backs, or develop in ways that seem very different from other children. For these children, a visit with a developmental pediatrician or psychologist and a thorough evaluation may lead to an early intervention referral.
Parents don’t have to wait for a referral to early intervention, however. If you’re concerned about your child’s development, you may contact your local program directly and ask to have your child evaluated. That evaluation is provided free of charge.
However if a child comes to be referred, evaluated, and determined eligible, early intervention services can most definitely provide a vital support so that children with developmental needs can thrive and grow.