Early Intervention is there to help!

I am really passionate about this post! I feel like it is imperative that this information is known by all new parents, especially though who's children may be experiencing developmental delays. Early Intervention is a services are designed to address problems or delays in development at an early age (between 0-3 years of age). Various contracted agencies serve as Early Intervention providers (EIP) and have practitioners address the needs of the children and families who are eligible for services. The process begins with an evaluation and assessment which is used to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to clearly outline specific services that will be implemented for the child (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Developmental Intervention are some of the services available). Said services are provided by qualified practitioners in the child's natural environments which are defined as a setting in which children without special needs ordinarily participate and are most comfortable and convenient for the family (such as the home, a community agency, or child care facility).

Some immediate benefits are that the family learns to cope with having a child with special needs; children learn the skills they will need in order to succeed in preschool; children learn the skills they need in order to interact in socially acceptable ways with their peers; and interventionists may be able to prevent certain conditions or disorders from getting worse. The long-term benefits are that children learn the skills they will need in order to succeed in school; children may need less intervention services, once in school; some children may not need any intervention services, once in school; and the older the children get, the are more likely to stay in school and less likely to drop out.​

If you have any questions and/or concerns please contact the Early Intervention System at (888) 653-4463. The call is toll-free for New Jersey residents.

I am available to talk about this subject more in depth if you need as I am an Early intervention practitioner!