Early Intervention is designed to help children develop the skills they need to reach their full potential and participate in activities with their peers.
Early Intervention
Early intervention is a program that provides free support and services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years) who are at risk of a developmental delay or currently not meeting milestones in one or more areas such as cognitive, physical, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive skills. Early Intervention is designed to help children develop the skills they need to reach their full potential and participate in activities with their peers.
The goal of early intervention is to provide children with the support they need at an early age, when their brains are still developing rapidly, in order to improve their long-term outcomes. Services can include a variety of activities and therapies, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and special education services.
Eligibility and availability of services may vary depending on the state in which you live (see contact details for each state here). It is best to contact your state’s early intervention program to learn more about the specific services and supports that are available in your area.
Script for self-referral call to Early Intervention:
Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am the parent/guardian of [Child’s Name]. I am calling to request early intervention services for [Child’s Name]. [He/She] has been experiencing [specific challenges or concerns]. I am concerned about [Child’s Name]‘s development and believe that early intervention services could be beneficial. Can you please tell me what steps I need to take to request these services?”
Remember to be specific about the child’s challenges and concerns, and to explain why you believe early intervention services would be beneficial. It can also be helpful to have any relevant information, such as the child’s age and any previous evaluations or assessments, on hand when making the call.
