Early intervention services are a range of targeted services to help young children who have developmental delays or specific health conditions Through Early Intervention children receive specialized health, educational, and therapeutic services designed to meet the needs of infants and toddlers, 0 – 3 years of age, who have a developmental delay or disability. Different types of specialists work with these children. Providing services early helps children catch up and increases their chances for success in school and life overall.
Early intervention services are provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Through grants to each state from the federal government, children who qualify may receive services free of charge or at low cost.
Every U.S. state and territory provides these services through its own comprehensive, coordinated program. There are also services that support the families who care for kids receiving early intervention services.
Eligiblility
Early intervention is for children from birth to age 3. To be eligible, the child must have either:
- A developmental delay (be far behind other kids his age).
- A specific health condition that will probably lead to a delay—this includes genetic disorders, birth defects and hearing loss, but typically not learning or attention issues like dyslexia and ADHD.
Although all states provide early intervention, each state does so differently. States define developmental delays in different ways and provide services for different health conditions.
Each state has its own rules for which children are eligible. In a few states, the child may get services if he’s at risk for a developmental delay because of factors like low birth weight, drug exposure and other environmental issues. In other states, a doctor or clinician can recommend early intervention.
Available Early Intervention Services
Infants and toddlers may receive services at home or in the community to help with developmental progress in these areas:
- Physical skills (reaching, crawling, walking, drawing, building)
- Cognitive skills (thinking, learning, solving problems)
- Communication skills (talking, listening, understanding others)
- Self-help or adaptive skills (eating, dressing)
- Social or emotional skills (playing, interacting with others)
- Sensory processing skills (handling textures, tastes, sounds, smells)
A child who qualifies for an early intervention program may receive one or more of these services:
- Screening and assessment
- Speech and language therapy
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Psychological services
- Home visits
- Medical, nursing or nutrition services
- Hearing (audiology) or vision services
- Social work services
- Transportation
A service coordinator from an early intervention program is the responsible individual to help set up and schedule services.
Length of Early Intervention Services
Early intervention services usually last up to age 3. But that doesn’t mean the family is on their own when the child turns 3. Many states will extend early intervention services beyond the child’s third birthday if needed.
In addition, children older than 3 may be eligible for special education services under IDEA. These services pick up where early intervention leaves off.
A few months before the child’s third birthday, the family and the early intervention team discusses a transition. The service coordinator sets up a planning meeting. This helps parents find out how to prepare the child for what’s next. If the child is eligible for preschool special education, a member of the local school district will be involved as well.
