Absolutely. In fact, it’s important to set up a system with each statewide Early Intervention Program to track the results of those children being referred. We like to have a close working relationship with local Part C coordinators. Their involvement in the program is critical. The better the collaboration, the better the outcome.

Early Intervention is supportive, educational, and developmental services for families of children birth to three years of age who are developmentally delayed or who are considered at risk for developmental delay. Families who receive EI services may include families with children who have a diagnosed condition, children who have a developmental delay in one or more areas of development, and children who have had a challenging early beginning.

Services may include assistive technology devices, audiology, family training and counseling, health services, medical diagnostic services, certain nursing services, nutrition services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, social work, special instruction, speech-language pathology, vision services, and transportation to services.

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 says that to the maximum extent appropriate, early intervention services must be provided in natural environments, including home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate. Services can only be provided in a setting other than a natural environment when early intervention cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment. [Sec. 632 (4) (G) and Sect. 635 (a) (16) (B)].

Early intervention is defined as services delivered to children from birth to age 3, and research shows that it has a dramatic impact on reducing the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Studies in early childhood development have shown that the youngest brains are the most flexible. In autism, we see that intensive early intervention yields a tremendous amount of progress in children by the time they enter kindergarten, often reducing the need for intensive supports.

Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children in Vancouver has done an excellent synopsis of an early intervention program as researched by G. Dawson & J. Osterling. (Dawson G. & Osterling, J. (1997) Early Intervention in Autism In M.J. Guralnick, (ed.) The Effectiveness of Early Intervention) These include: Teach social behaviour first with an adult then gradually move to practice it with 1-2 other children

HeartShare's Early Intervention Programs employ caring and compassionate licensed special education teachers and therapists who visit families' homes to help them nurture their infant's or toddler's development. This may include teaching feeding techniques, helping to adapt a home to a child's special needs, and facilitating the development of language and communication. Our services vary according to each child's specific needs.

Call (530) 538-6220 or 1-877-783-4636. You will be connected to an EIP case manager who can answer your questions

Early Intervention teams include nurses, developmental educators, teaching assistants, speech, physical, occupational and family therapists, counselors, and social workers. South Bay's EI programs are organized on a transdisciplinary model. The transdisciplinary approach refers to two or more staff of different disciplines who share information and expertise to assist children and families to reach their goals.

Early Intervention services are paid in part through your tax dollars. The program's primary funding sources are private insurance companies, Medicaid, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as well as federal money that is available for the education of children with special needs. Early Intervention services will be billed to your insurance company. The Department of Public Health covers many costs that are not paid by your insurance company including deductibles and co-payments.

Early intervention is a partnership with families who may need services for their infants or toddlers at risk or with developmental delays and/or disabilities. Early Intervention may: Early intervention/infant learning services are designed to help eligible infants and toddlers reach their fullest level of development and enhance the family's capacity to support and promote their infant or toddler's development.

We collaborate with selected national, state, and local organizations to ensure that our program is executed in a high-level, results-driven way and that the momentum is long lasting. We work with the infrastructure already in place within a state and with those organizations involved.

The dictionary defines credential as "something that entitles one to confidence or authority." An early intervention credential for First Steps indicates that an early intervention provider understands the First Steps system--its philosophy, rules, regulations, and process. It is one piece of a quality assurance program.

Children between 18 and 60 months diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder by a developmental pediatrician or clinical psychologist are eligible for consideration for this program.

Yes. Early intervention can help all children of school age or younger who have or are at risk of developing a handicapping condition or other special need that may affect their development and learning. Early intervention can be remedial or preventive in nature; remediation of existing developmental problems or preventing their occurrence. Child development research has established that the rate of human learning and development is most rapid in the preschool years.