By Anissa | Leave A Comment
Early Intervention Programs are a network of state-supported services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. Most states have similar programs although they may call it something a bit different. For instance, in Utah, it is called Baby Watch.
What Does Early Intervention Do?
The program provides early identification and developmental services for families of infants and toddlers from birth to three. These services are provided through the coordinated effort of parents, community agencies, and a variety of professionals.
Some of the services offered include:
- A full assessment of a child’s current health and development status
- Service coordination among providers, programs and agencies
- Strategies to build on family concerns, priorities, & resources (CPR)
- Services including developmental, occupational, physical, speech language, and behavioral therapies
Where are these services provided?
Service areas include Early Intervention centers, in the home, and community settings such as child care.
Who Qualifies to Receive Early Intervention Services?
Children from birth to three years of age will qualify for services if they meet or exceed the definition of developmental delays in one or more of the following areas:
- Physical development
- Vision and hearing
- Feeding and dressing skills
- Social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Learning, problem solving and play skills
Early Intervention has a list of diagnoses that automatically qualify a child for services. The program must have documentation of the diagnosis.
Important definitions:
Developmental Delay: 1.5 standard deviations at or below the mean, or at or below the 7th percentile in one or more areas of development.
Early Intervention: a collection of services provided by public and private agencies and designed by law to support eligible children and families in enhancing a child’s potential for growth and development from birth to age three.
I would love to hear from mothers who have first-hand knowledge of the services different states offer in Early Intervention programs. What does your state offer and what has been your experience in receiving services?
ABOUT Anissa
My name is Anissa. Let me tell you a little about myself, I am a mother of three, two girls and a bo{read more}
Loading ...
In VT it is called Family, Infant Toddler Program. I called them about a month ago regarding my 2 year old who was not talking very well. Last week they came for our first visit to fill out the forms, as questions, and meet AE. It went very well and they were very helpful. They are doing the testing next week. They were very easy to work with. They answered all of my questions. I don’t know if my daughter will qualify for services through them but it will be nice to be told that she is doing just fine.