Understanding Early Intervention

Definition, Scope & Importance

By Kamna Seth & Gauri Shirali-Deo

SourceForLearning.org/ECEI

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@SFLECEI

#SFLEarlyEducation

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Defining Features of Inclusion

• Access

• Participation

• Supports

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Definition of Delay

• When a child does not meet developmental milestones at anticipated times, there is said to bea developmental delay.

• Delays impact:

– Language and mobility

– Learning and self-help

– Social emotional development

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Early Intervention Is a Coordinated System

• Enhances children’s development

• Supports families during important early years

• Building collaboration between families and service providers early on helps children, families and communities.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

• Mandates some services for eligible children and families.

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Scope

• In 2006-2008, 1 in 6 children in the United States were diagnosed with a developmental delay.

• The number of children with some disabilities is growing, requiring more support services.

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Causes

• Biological

– Genetic or during birth

• Environmental– Health

– Nutrition

• Unknown

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In the Early Years …

• … these delays are more commonly seen:

– Hearing impairments

– Vision impairments

– Speech and language

– Physical delays

– ASD

– Sensory processing disorders

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Early Diagnosis Is Important

• Brain plasticity

• “Toxic stress”

• Brain strengthened by early supportive experiences

• Cognitive and language skill development needs a base of social emotional framework

• Improve consequences

• Effective and less expensive

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Using Data Meaningfully

• Data can be used to identify children’s needs and strengths

• Information can be used to assess status, create learning opportunities, provide support and intervention, and direct families to available community resources.

• Effectively sharing ongoing assessment information with families helps build strong relationships which enhance children’s learning

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Tools to Determine Delays

• Family concerns

• Not achieving or delay in achieving milestones

• Teacher concerns

• Ongoing assessment-observation and documentation

• Long-term lack of progress

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Processes to Initiate & SupportEarly Intervention

• Surveillance

• Screening

• Evaluation

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Supporting the Team

• Take and provide notes for the team

• Accommodate therapists

• Collaborate with interventionists to embed strategies into daily routines

• Collaborate and support families

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Barriers to Early Intervention

• Miscommunication

• Misunderstanding the referral process

• Beliefs about their own expertise or the self-resolution of delays

• Practical hurdles such as time to fill out paperwork

• Language barriers

• Fear that service providers may be from CPS

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Resource Links

• Overview of EIhttp://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ei-overview/

• Trends in Development Delayswww.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/features/birthdefects-dd-keyfindings.html

• Early Identification/Child Findhttp://www.specialeducationguide.com/early-intervention/early-identification-how-the-child-find-program-works/

• Supporting Milestoneshttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/MilestoneMomentsEng508.pdf

• Collaborating with EI Teamhttp://www.southernearlychildhood.org/upload/pdf/Using_Routines_Based_Interventions_in_Early_Childhood_Special_Education_Danielle_Jennings_Mary_Frances_Hanline_Juliann_Woods.pdf

• Resources for Parentshttp://www.parentcenterhub.org/nichcy-resources/

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For More Information

• Kamna Seth, M.S.Director, ECE InitiativesThe Source for Learning, Inc.kseth@sflinc.org

• Gauri Shirali-Deo, M Ed.Senior Manager, ECE InitiativesThe Source for Learning, Inc.gdeo@sflinc.org

• The Source for Learning, Inc.Early Childhood Education Initiativeswww.sourceforlearning.org/ECEIece-pd@sflinc.org

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