What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is the services and supports that are available to children under the age of three and their families. These services may involve speech therapy, physical therapy, or other professional services- it all depends on the needs of the child and the family. Early intervention services are available in all states by federal law. To find early intervention services in your area, check out this link through the CDC.
What are the benefits of Early Intervention?
Early intervention is extremely important for every delayed child. When support and therapies are sought early, children have a better prognosis for catching up with their peers and learning future skills on time. Early intervention is advantageous for children because the earlier the intervention, the smaller the gap between what a child can do and what a child should be doing. This means the child will have an easier time learning the skills they are missing and have fewer skills to target.
Early intervention can also remove the need for intervention as the child grows older. By filling in the gaps a child has as a toddler, they are less likely to miss the development of future skills. While some children’s delays may not completely resolve with early intervention services, they can reduce the frequency and intensity of services needed when the child becomes school-aged.
How do I know if I should seek Early Intervention?
Several factors can indicate whether a child has a need for early intervention services. If your child is not meeting developmental milestones, you should speak with their pediatrician about your concerns. They will be able to provide guidance as to whether your child’s abilities are still within the normal range for development or if a delay is present. They will also be able to refer you to the type of specialists or therapists your child may need. Additionally, if your child develops skills and then loses them (ex: begins talking and then stops), this may warrant the need for early intervention services. You should discuss with your doctor what skill development and regression you have witnessed to determine your child’s needs.
If you believe your child could benefit from speech therapy, bring them in for a screening today!
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 9). What is “Early intervention”? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html
Language delays in Toddlers: Information for parents. HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/language-delay.aspx
Benefits of early intervention for Speech & Language Delays. S.L. Hunter Speechworks. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.slhunterspeechworks.com/Resources/Blog/May-2019/BENEFITS-OF-TACKLING-SPEECH-AND-LANGUAGE-DELAYS-EA American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Early intervention. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/early-intervention/