5 Ws of Early Intervention
A blog for families
Have you ever wondered how to access early intervention for your child? Are you concerned about your child’s development? This blog will take you through the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and WHY of accessing early intervention services.
WHO?
Children with an identified disability or developmental delay* are eligible for early intervention. All children in the United States and its territories are able to receive an evaluation to determine if they are eligible for their local early intervention agencies services. This is typically at no cost to the family. Some children have an automatic qualifying diagnosis and are eligible for early intervention based on that. A list of qualifying diagnoses can be found on your state’s early intervention website (linked below).
The areas that are often evaluated in an early intervention assessment include: cognitive (play, problem solving, etc.), communication (understanding and using language), physical (crawling, holding toys, walking), social and emotional (attachment, regulation, etc.), and adaptive (feeding, dressing, toileting). All evaluations are required to be multidisciplinary and family-directed.
*Developmental delay criteria are different in each state. Check with yours at our resource below or reach out if you have further questions
WHAT?
The services provided within early intervention may include one or a combination of the following: speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, specialized instruction, family resource coordination, and more.
WHEN?
A child is eligible for early intervention from birth until their 3rd birthday (when the child is 0, 1, and 2).
WHERE?
Early intervention services are recommended to take place in a child’s natural environment. This can mean that a provider comes to your home to deliver services and support or you can meet them within the community such as the library or a park.
WHY?
This is due to Part C within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), that ensures all children with a disability or developmental delay receive the support they need. You may hear the terms “early intervention,” “early support,” or “Part C services” and they all mean the same thing.
HOW?
If you are concerned about your child’s development or are interested in seeking out an evaluation, visit our resource here to find your state or territory’s early intervention website. Most websites have a locator feature where you can search for your county and receive the contact information for your local agency.
Have additional questions? Reach out!
Blog Photo Credit: Hillary
Photo Location: Olympic National Park
