Need to know how key terms in early intervention are defined? Early intervention is full of terms that people constantly use in writing and in conversation, and it’s important to know what those terms mean. We are pleased to provide this handy reference to early intervention terminology, and hopes it helps our readers quickly connect with the meaning of pivotal words and phrases in the field. … Read the rest

A critical part of improving developmental and educational results for children with disabilities is using effective practices in early intervention, wherever services are being provided—an agency setting, the home, and across the child’s natural environment. An impressive knowledge base of experience has been built on the delivery of early intervention services. … Read the rest

How long a list of “who’s who” would you like? There are quite a few experts in the early intervention field! In the interests of efficiency, we will give you the semi-short but to-the-point list to get you started (we apologize to all those organizations we haven’t listed here). This starter list will definitely lead you into the wider network and keep you informed in the ongoing work in early intervention. … Read the rest

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each State have a early intervention system that includes well-advertised processes for finding, referring, and (as appropriate) evaluating babies and toddlers suspected of having (or known to have) a developmental delay or disability. Having such a system includes:

• operating a public awareness program so that residents of the State know that early intervention services are available to help eligible infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities; and
• providing a referral system by which children may be referred to the Part C system for evaluation.

 … Read the rest

Early intervention (EI) services are to be provided in natural environments to the maximum extent appropriate for the child and for the EI service itself. So–what’s considered a “natural environment”? What isn’t? This webpage focuses upon answering these questions and on connecting you with resources of additional information and best practice. … Read the rest

After your young child’s evaluation is complete and he or she is found eligible for early intervention services, you, as parents, and a team will meet to develop a written plan for providing early intervention services to your child and, as necessary, to your family. This plan is called the Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP. … Read the rest

Families, most particularly parents, are vital participants in early intervention. Your contributions are invaluable:

• at the individual level where you are intimately involved in determining the services that your own child will receive; and
• at an organizational level determining policies and scope for EI programs.

The resources below have been identified because they address the many dimensions of parent involvement, including the parents’ right to be involved in decision making regarding their child and the early intervention services he or she receives.   … Read the rest

Parents are essential partners in early intervention. They have the right to be deeply involved at every step along the way, from evaluation of their child, to the writing of the individualized family service plan (IFSP), to helping to determine the early intervention services their child receives. Not surprisingly, Part C of IDEA includes specific provisions to support the informed involvement of parents in their child’s early intervention program. … Read the rest

Early intervention services are specially designed to address the educational and developmental needs of very young children with disabilities and those who are experiencing developmental delays. Early intervention provides free developmental evaluations of children younger than 3 (that is to say, before their third birthday) and helps families find services for their little one. … Read the rest