Early Intervention (EI)
Overview
Acting EARLY is the best way to help your child.
If you are concerned, speak with your child's Pediatrician. Be honest and open about what you are experiencing at home and what your child is able or unable to do.
Early Intervention provides services for children ages 0 - 3 years.
A doctor's referral is NOT necessary to receive early intervention.
Let's Get An Early Start And Talk About Intervention
Throughout this past year, I have been amazed at watching my little guy grow from the awkward pass-off phase because he can't support his head, to him being able to sit independently, crawl, pull up on furniture, become an incredible surfer, marathon runner, and a babbler. It's amazing to think about the BIG changes that physically occur throughout a child's first year of life. Every child is pre-programmed to acquire skills at specific timeframes (if you are curious, please refer to the post "Let's Talk Development") and at times, we may notice that our child is a little slower at developing these skills. It is no time to panic, but it may be time to ask for help. Being a parent is the most amazing job but also the most difficult title that I have ever held. You go into this role without any specific training, and let's be honest, what you think you knew was "right", may not necessarily be the case. Babies and toddlers are tricky! So, let's lean on the support of agencies and resources within our community that can provide assistance.
The Importance of Acting Early
When we notice that our child is not developing at an appropriate pace, acting early can make a great difference in your child's outcome. You know your child best, so do not wait. When you are attending your child's semi-monthly check-ups as a baby, it is very important, to be honest with your pediatrician and healthcare staff about your observations. When they quickly go through a list of questions, such as "Is your child sitting up on their own? Is your child babbling? Is your child picking up items with different grips or able to hold items in their hands? Is your child able to play independently for a short period of time", you need to be honest and open about what you see. I remember being at my child's 6-month appointment and the nurse very quickly ran through all of these developmental questions and I thought to myself "Man! These are so important and you are flying through them"! By quickly moving through the list of questions, it made me feel as though they were making the assumption that all milestones were being met, which may not have been the case. If you notice that your child is not doing something that you feel like they should be able to do, or if they are not quite doing what the healthcare team is asking about, please say so. It is okay to acknowledge that they are not able to do something or if you are unsure as to whether they are able to engage in an activity or demonstrate a specific skill that should be present. It is okay to not know. The earlier that we are able to share our concerns, the sooner we can link our kids with available help and resources by a referral to an early intervention program.
What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention refers to services and supports that are provided, to help babies (birth through 3 years of age) who have an identified developmental delay or other disabilities. Early Intervention addresses the various needs of the child; however, it is also a means of support for the family. Typically, a service plan can include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other types of necessary support. Again, the earlier that we can identify a child's need, the sooner we can provide support in hopes of increasing school readiness by changing a child's developmental path.
But My Child is 3 or More Years Old. Can I Still Get Help?
Early intervention is designated for children 0-3 years of age. Once a child is three years old (most definitely by the age of four), the baton will be passed to the public school system that you reside in. If you have concerns for your child and they are three years or older, contact your public school system (even if you do not have a child that attends there) and say: "Hi. My name is ______. I would like to speak with someone about the concerns that I have for my child's development. I would like for my child to be evaluated for special education services." If by chance the person that you are speaking with is unfamiliar with the process, please kindly ask to be connected with the Special Education Director. That individual will help link you with the most appropriate person to share your concerns with. If you have a child who is already enrolled in school and you have concerns, I would recommend that you call or email your child's School Counselor. That individual will be able to best link you with the right contact for support.
Helpful Resources
Ohio Early Intervention
https://ohioearlyintervention.org/families
Ohio: Help Me Grow
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/help-me-grow/help-me-grow
How Do I Locate Services?
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html
