In the US, one out of six children has one or more developmental delays or disabilities. If you want to learn about the benefits of early intervention, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to get early intervention services. We will also discuss the child intervention options.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
What Is Early Intervention?
Early intervention’s used to address a child’s developmental delay. There’s an early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities. It’s a federal program.
There are services like occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and more.
What Are Developmental Delays?
A developmental delay means your child’s delayed in an area of their development. There are five areas that can get affected.
Some children have communication development delays, while others have cognitive development delays.
There might be a physical development delay, emotional development delay, or an adaptive development delay.
Your baby or toddler has a lot of new skills to learn. If you’re concerned your child has a delay, consult with someone.
The exact meaning of a developmental delay will vary from state to state. Every state will define the term on its own.
The state will specify the level of delay in functioning in the five developmental areas. They will describe the assessment and evaluation procedures used to measure a child’s development.
Where Do You Get Early Intervention Services?
You can ask for an early intervention evaluation for your toddler or baby. Find out if your child does qualify for the services.
Ask your doctor if they can connect you with a local early intervention program. When you call the program, tell them you’re a bit concerned about your child’s development.
Every state will choose how it decides eligibility for these services. Most states require that children display some level of developmental delay.
An evaluation will help you determine if your child is eligible for the services. Some kids are automatically eligible. Children diagnosed with a developmental issue or who were born prematurely are eligible.
What About the Cost?
If your child is eligible for the services, you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. There could be a fee depending on your state for other services.
Some states charge a sliding scale fee for occupational therapy or speech-language therapy.
Yet, kids can’t get denied services because the families aren’t able to pay.
Assessing Your Child
The evaluation group will be qualified people with different areas of experience or training.
These therapists will know about developmental areas like hearing, vision, language skills, and speech skills.
The therapists also have experience working with young children. They know how to discover if there any issues.
A therapist will evaluate your child individually or with other professionals. The team will take time to observe your child, talk to them, and ask your child to do things.
What Services Will You Receive?
If your child’s eligible, the early intervention service coordinator will make a plan. The plan’s called the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Your IFSP will include things like your child’s current developmental level. You will also write down developmental goals for your child. Next, you will detail what services as a family you would like to receive.
You can get home visits from a special educator or seek speech-languages therapy. Others seek physical therapy or occupational therapy sessions.
Decide how often and when your child will get the different services. You’ll also figure out where your child will receive these intervention services.
The service coordinator will answer any questions you have. Use this meeting to ask about extra services that could help you and your child.
You will need to sign a form that you agree and provide consent for the service your child will receive. If you don’t give permission, your child won’t get the help.
You will review the IFSP every six months and update it throughout the year.
Will My Child Need to Enter Special Education?
Some families worry participating in early intervention will mean their child gets labeled. This label could impact them when they go to school.
Information about your child’s early intervention services isn’t shared with the elementary school.
Kids receive different services for varying lengths all the time. Some children take part in therapy for the short term to address a temporary delay in development.
Other children might need follow-up special education services at school.
If your child’s still eligible for the services past three years old, they’ll move to special education services. Your service coordinator can assist with this transition.
How Long Will the Service Last?
Early intervention services tend to last until your child turns three. If your child still needs support, you can talk to your service coordinator.
They’ll hold a transition meeting to talk about special education services under IDEA. The services could pick up where your early intervention services left off.
Before your child’s third birthday, talk to your early intervention team. You can begin to plan the transition and prepare your child for the next stage.
If your child’s eligible for preschool special education, you’ll work with a member of the local school district.
Look into other forms of therapy like positive behavior therapy.
Now You Know More About Early Child Intervention Services
We hope this guide on early intervention services was helpful. Make the most of child intervention services, and help your child get the help they need.
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