Understanding Early Intervention

Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. It focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as:

• physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking)
• cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems)
• communication (talking, listening, understanding)
• social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy)
• self-help (eating, dressing)

You can read more about the basics of early intervention at the CDC's early intervention page.

Know Your Rights

As a parent, you have the right to request an evaluation if you think your child may have a developmental delay or disability. This is true even if your child's doctor hasn't identified a problem.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you have the right to:

• A timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation of your child at no cost to you
• If eligible, a written Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) listing the early intervention services your child and family will receive
• Meetings with early intervention providers to plan, review, and evaluate services
• Refuse evaluations, assessments, and services

Learn more about your rights in early intervention at The Center for Parent Information and Resources.

Requesting an Evaluation

If you're concerned about your child's development, don't wait. You or your child's doctor can request an evaluation at any time.

To request an evaluation, contact your state's early intervention program. You can find the contact information for your state at the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.

When you call, explain that you have concerns about your child's development and would like to request an evaluation to see if they qualify for early intervention services. The staff will explain the next steps in the process.

Preparing for the Evaluation

The evaluation will look at all areas of your child's development. It may include hearing and vision screenings, an assessment of cognitive ability, and a review of medical and other records.

To prepare, think about your specific concerns and be ready to share examples. Make a list of your child's strengths and challenges. If you have them, gather any medical records, screening results, and recent evaluations to share with the team.

Most importantly, remember that you are a key part of the evaluation process. Your unique insights and perspective on your child are invaluable in getting a complete picture of their development.

The IFSP Meeting

If your child is found eligible for early intervention, the next step is creating an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP is a written plan that describes your child's current levels of development, goals for progress, and the specific services they will receive.

You are an equal and important member of the IFSP team. Share your thoughts on what's working well, what's challenging, and what goals are most important to your family. Don't be afraid to ask questions, share concerns, or disagree with recommendations. Trust your instincts and advocate for what you feel your child needs.

Remember, the IFSP is a fluid document. It can and should be updated frequently as your child's needs change. You can request a review of the IFSP at any time.

Partnering with Providers

Early intervention services are provided by qualified professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and early childhood special educators. They will work with you to support your child's development through coaching, education, therapy, and other support.

Attend sessions whenever possible to learn therapy techniques you can use at home. Share your observations of your child's progress and challenges. Communicate openly and regularly with providers about what is and isn't working.

Remember, you are the expert on your child. Your active involvement and partnership with early intervention providers is key to your child's success. Don't hesitate to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for your child's needs every step of the way.