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Early Intervention
Learn more about early intervention to promote active child particpation and give parents the tools they need to support their child's early learning and development.
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About Early Intervention
Early intervention seeks to build functional, foundational skills to help infants/toddlers with a developmental delay or disability to be full, active participants in home and community life. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has established the following outcomes (or goals) for early intervention under Part C:
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Children have positive social relationships
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Children acquire and use knowledge and skills
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Children take appropriate action to meet their needs
Types of Early Intervention
Specific early intervention services provided are determined based on the goals and objectives of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) developed with the family. Below is the list of the 17 federally-identified early intervention services outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, Part C).
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Assistive Technology/Adaptive Equipment (and AT Services)
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Audiology
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Family training, counseling, and home visits
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Health services
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Medical services
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Nursing services
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Nutrition services
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Occupational therapy
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Physical therapy
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Psychological services
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Service coordination services
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Sign language and cued language services
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Social work services
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Special instruction (developmental therapy)
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Speech-language pathology services
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Transportation and related costs
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Vision Services
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Service Locations
To the maximum extent appropriate, early intervention services, including evaluation and assessment, must be provided in natural environments, defined as home and community settings where children without disabilities participate (34 CFR §303.126). Examples of natural environments include but are not limited to:
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Home
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Home of Relative
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Daycare
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Babysitter
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Parks
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Libraries
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Early Head Start
Natural Environment
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Part C defines “natural environment” as settings and routines that are natural or typical for a same-aged infant or toddler without a disability. This would include places where children live, learn, and play, such as, home, daycare, grandmother’s house, and the park. Natural environments are more than a place.
Providing services in everyday settings helps children learn in the context of daily life. This method also gives parents and children many opportunities to practice strategies throughout the day as they communicate what they want, see, do, and enjoy during common everyday activities with familiar people in familiar circumstances.
Early Interventionists
Early interventionists are highly qualified and certified professionals providing evaluations and services on a child's and family's plan, the IFSP. Early interventionists coach, train, mentor, and collaborate with the adults present during in-home visits to give them the tools they need to promote their child's early learning, participation, and skill development between therapy sessions.
Parents are always provided a choice of providers and have the right to change early intervention providers at any time and for any reason. The family's early intervention service coordinator can give the family a provider directory, or list, of early intervention providers serving their county or area of the state.
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