Early Intervention
First Three Years
The first three years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. There are typical signs of growth and development, and each child learns and grows differently. Parents are often the first to notice when their child is not learning or growing like other infants and toddlers. Sometimes, as they grow, children may have trouble seeing, hearing, talking, walking or have other special needs. That’s when Early Intervention can help.
Key Principles
Early Intervention’s key principles are:
- Infants and toddlers learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts.
- All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children's learning and development.
- The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and support family members and caregivers in children's lives.
- The early intervention process, from initial contacts through transition, must be dynamic and individualized to reflect the child's and family members' preferences, learning styles and cultural beliefs.
- Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outcomes must be functional and based on children's and families' needs and family-identified priorities.
- The family's priorities, needs and interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who represents and receives team and community support.
- Interventions with young children and family members must be based on explicit principles, validated practices, best available research, and relevant laws and regulations.
Services May Include
We offer parents information about child development, activities to enhance development and referrals to community resources which provide services to children under the age of 3 and their families
Assessments
Developmental screenings, assessments and evaluations.
Development of IFSP
Development of an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)
Service Coordination
Providing coordinated services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays in Ohio.
Specialized Services
Link you to specialized services your child may need (i.e. Physical, Occupational & Speech therapies).
Transition to Preschool
We can assist your child with their transition to preschool.
Resources
Contact us to learn more about resources available to parents and children in our community.
Baby Bill of Rights
Talk to Me
Sing, hum, babble, or even read the funnies to me! I don’t know what you're saying, but I need to hear you. And I do know what you mean, even if I may not know the words. Like your voice tones mean, “I love you”, or when you yell, I hear, “You're a pest!” Unless you communicate with me, how can I learn? I learn from you.
Hold Me
Everything is so big and new to me. I don't understand where I am. Or who I am. And I get scared, but when you hold me, your heartbeat makes me feel I belong here. I belong to you.
Answer my Cry
Everything is so big and new to me. I don't understand where I am. Or who I am. And I get scared, but when you hold me, your heartbeat makes me feel I belong here. I belong to you.
You Won't Spoil Me
You'll help me be a better baby and make you happier, too.
Love Me
Like me. Love me just as I am. Don't expect me to do what I can't do. Like being toilet-trained. My muscles aren't ready yet. I know I'm messy. But I'm growing. Overlook my baby weakness. You're the most important person in my world. I can't make it without you. So get to know me. Have fun with me, and love me...just as I am.
“It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into.”
– Terri Guillemets