Does my child need Early Intervention Services?
Do you have questions or concerns about your child’s development or does your child have a developmental disability? Would you like to learn if your child could receive services? There is a program in Virginia that can provide you with the support you need. Children birth through age two (until a child’s third birthday) may be eligible for early intervention services with The Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia. You can request that your child be screened to see if he/she is eligible for services, to do this contact your Central Point of Entry.
Each locality in Virginia has a “central point of entry,” this is the location you call in your community to request a screening. Once the call has been placed to your local Infant & Toddler Connection, They will work with your family to determine if your child is eligible for services. This is often called an eligibility determination.
Never be afraid to approach your child’s pediatrician with your concerns. Early Intervention services provide your child the best opportunity to reach their full potential and help prepare you to best support them in their development. The earlier you approach your pediatrician with your concerns, the earlier services can begin.
IDEAS WANTED!
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is always working to improve early intervention in Virginia. Our focus area for 2022-2028 is increasing infants’ and toddlers’ positive social and emotional skills, including social relationships.
Share your ideas about how we can change our system and services to better support families in helping their children have positive social-emotional skills and relationships.
Early Intervention's Coaching model
Early Intervention services in the state of Virginia follow a coaching model. The coaching model is a family-centered model of intervention where therapist's guide parents through the problem-solving process to attain self-identified goals for their child. This means that providers and therapists will work with parents and caregivers to provide techniques and skills to help their child achieve their goal in the natural environment of their own home. These strategies can be applied to mealtime, bath time, story time, virtually anything in the child’s life can be manipulated to be therapeutic for his or her development. Parents are encouraged to engage with providers to continue building on their child's achievements. The goal of the coaching model is to empower parents and caregivers to continue being the best teacher they can be and to continue building on the needs of the child.
Is your child eligible for early intervention services in Virginia?
A child and family may receive early intervention support and services if the child is: up to three years old and has certain levels of developmental delay, differences in development and/or a diagnosed condition.
The delay can be in one or more of the following areas:
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Thinking, learning, and playing
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Moving, seeing, and hearing
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Understanding and using sounds, gestures and words
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Developing relationships
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Taking care of one's self, including eating and dressing
Accessing Early Intervention Services
Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers build on their basic skills while learning new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as:
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physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking);
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cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems);
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communication (talking, listening, understanding);
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social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy); and
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self-help (eating, dressing)
If an infant or toddler has a disability or a developmental delay in one or more of these developmental areas, that child may be eligible for early intervention services. Those services will be tailored to meet the child’s individual needs. Such services may include:
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Assistive technology (devices a child might need)
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Audiology or hearing services
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Speech and language services
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Counseling and training for a family
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Medical services
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Nursing services
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Nutrition services
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Occupational therapy
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Physical therapy
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Psychological services
Services may also be provided to address the needs and priorities of the child’s family. Family-directed services are meant to help family members understand the special needs of their child and how to enhance his or her development.
Authorized by law, early intervention is available in every state and territory of the United States. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires it–Part C of IDEA, to be precise. That’s why you’ll sometimes hear early intervention referred to as Part C.
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