Understanding Early Intervention
The services and supports a child receives while young impacts a child at a critical point in brain development--when the brain's neural circuits are the most flexible (during the first three years of life). This support strengthens the child's brain and acts as a foundation for their learning, behavior, and physical and mental health. Without this support, these circuits within the brain are "pruned," affecting the child's ability to learn.
Early Intervention builds upon the natural learning occurring in a child's first five years. Early Intervention offers individualized services, such as special instruction, developmental therapies and other support services, and parent education, to meet the unique needs of children who have developmental delays, as well as their families.
When children with developmental delays participate in typical classrooms, all children benefit. Children with developmental delays and disabilities learn age-appropriate communication and social behaviors, while typically developing children learn to understand and accept differences.
Early Intervention:
- Enhances the families' capacity and confidence to meet the developmental needs of their child in the settings where children would be if they did not have a disability;
- Helps prevent the need for more and costly intervention in the future by improving child outcomes in the early years;
- Embeds supports and services within learning opportunities that exist in the child's typical routines and within the home and community activities and/or early education programs; and
- Builds on existing supports and services in the family, community, and early education resources.
Benefits of Early Intervention for children and their families
While all children grow at their own rate, some children may have delays in their development. Sometimes this can be cause for concern. Early Intervention provides free services for young children who have disabilities or delays in their development.
If a child has a disability or developmental delay, Early Intervention can help with a child's growing and learning. The program provides supports and resources to children and families at home and in the community. When a child is in a child care program, Early Intervention can partner with teachers to help a child's development. Early Intervention can also link families to community services and supports.
Child/Family eligibility information
A first step for any family with a concern about their child's development is to call CONNECT Helpline toll-free at 1-800-692-7288 or email
connecthelp@tiu11.org. They will connect a family to resources like developmental screenings and the local Early Intervention program. The Early Intervention program will determine if the child is eligible for Early Intervention.
Cost to families
There is no cost to families for Early Intervention services and supports.
Services may include:
- Information on how a child can develop skills and abilities;
- Education and support for families and other caregivers for a child; and
- Specific developmental therapies.
How to apply
If you or a family has a concern about a child's development, you should first call CONNECT Services at 1-800-692-7288 or email connecthelp@tiu11.org. You will be connected to a local Early Intervention program. The local Early Intervention program will determine eligibility and provide guidance for families.
Who is eligible for Early Intervention?
To receive Early Intervention services and supports, it must be determined that a child meets the following criteria.
Infants and Toddlers who have:
A 25% delay or 1 .5 standard deviation below the mean in one or more areas of development
OR
A specialist's determination that there is a delay even though it doesn't show up on the assessments (called informed clinical opinion)
OR
A known physical or mental condition that has a high probability for developmental delays (such as Down syndrome)
Preschoolers who have:
A 25% delay or 1 .5 standard deviation below the mean in one or more areas of development
OR
Any of the following physical or mental disabilities: autism/pervasive developmental disorder; serious emotional disturbance; neurological impairment; deafness/hearing loss; specific learning disability; intellectual disability; multiple disabilities; other health impairment; physical disability; speech impairment or blindness/visual impairment;
AND
Are in need of special education and related services.
Resources for families and programs
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