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Early Intervention
What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is a process of providing services and supports to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. Early intervention services are designed to improve the child’s development and help the family to better care for the child.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that governs early intervention. IDEA requires that states provide early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families.
Early intervention services are provided through a variety of public and private programs. Early intervention services may be provided in the child’s natural environment, such as the home or child care setting. Early intervention services may also be provided in specialized settings, such as clinics, hospitals, or schools.
Early intervention services are provided by a team of professionals, which may include:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Pediatric neurologists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Speech and language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
Early intervention services may include:
- Evaluation to determine if the child has a developmental delay or disability
- Individualized family service plan
- Developmental therapies
- Special education services
- Health services
- Nutrition services
- Social work services
- Family training and support
Early intervention is a process of providing services and supports to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. Early intervention services are designed to improve the child’s development and help the family to better care for the child.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that governs early intervention. IDEA requires that states provide early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families.
Early intervention services are provided through a variety of public and private programs. Early intervention services may be provided in the child’s natural environment, such as the home or child care setting. Early intervention services may also be provided in specialized settings, such as clinics, hospitals, or schools.
Early intervention services are provided by a team of professionals, which may include:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Pediatric neurologists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Speech and language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
Early intervention services may include:
- Evaluation to determine if the child has a developmental delay or disability
- Individualized family service plan
- Developmental therapies
- Special education services
- Health services
- Nutrition services
- Social work services
- Family training and support
Early intervention is a process of providing services and supports to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. Early intervention services are designed to improve the child’s development and help the family to better care for the child.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that governs early intervention. IDEA requires that states provide early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families.
Early intervention services are provided through a variety of public and private programs. Early intervention services may be provided in the child’s natural environment, such as the home or child care setting. Early intervention services may also be provided in specialized settings, such as clinics, hospitals, or schools.
Early intervention services are provided by a team of professionals, which may include:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Pediatric neurologists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Speech and language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
Early intervention services may include:
- Evaluation to determine if the child has a developmental delay or disability
- Individualized family service plan
- Developmental therapies
- Special education services
- Health services
- Nutrition services
- Social work services
- Family training and support
Early intervention is a process of providing services and supports to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. Early intervention services are designed to improve the child’s development and help the family to better care for the child.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that governs early intervention. IDEA requires that states provide early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families.
Early intervention services are provided through a variety of public and private programs. Early intervention services may be provided in the child’s natural environment, such as the home or child care setting. Early intervention services may also be provided in specialized settings, such as clinics, hospitals, or schools.
Early intervention services are provided by a team of professionals, which may include:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Pediatric neurologists
- Psychologists
Who is eligible for Early Intervention services?
Early Intervention (EI) is a system of supports and services that are provided to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that governs early intervention services in the United States.
According to the IDEA, eligible infants and toddlers are those who:
-Are between the ages of birth and 3 years old;
-Have a developmental delay as defined by the state in which they live; or
-Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
Some states have additional eligibility criteria, such as low birth weight or being at risk for developmental delays due to environmental factors such as poverty or inadequate nutrition.
Early intervention services are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual child and family. They may include:
-Developmental assessments
-Individualized family service plan
-Speech, occupational, and/or physical therapy
-Special education services
-Nutrition counseling
-Parent training and support
-Case management
-Transportation assistance
-Assistive technology
Early intervention services are provided at no cost to families, and service providers must be licensed or certified by the state in which they practice.
If you think your child may be eligible for early intervention services, the first step is to contact your state’s early intervention program.
What are the benefits of Early Intervention?
Early intervention is a process of providing services and supports to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. Early intervention services can help improve a child’s development.
The benefits of early intervention are many. Early intervention can help a child with developmental delays or disabilities:
• learn new skills
• catch up to their peers
• develop a positive self-image
• avoid or reduce future problems
• improve their chances for success in school and in life
Early intervention services are tailored to meet the individual needs of each child and family. Services may include:
• developmental assessments
• guidance for parents
• referrals to other services
• special education and therapy services
• home visits
• support groups
Early intervention is most successful when it is started as early as possible. The earlier a child begins to receive services, the better the chances are for the child to reach his or her fullest potential.