To be eligible for services, children must be under 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, as defined by the State, in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive.
The Early Intervention Program offers a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, including:
- family education and counseling, home visits, and parent support groups
- special instruction
- speech pathology and audiology
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- psychological services
- service coordination
- nursing services
- nutrition services
- social work services
- vision services
- assistive technology devices and services
A child suspected of developmental delay can be referred by a concerned family member, friend, or professional (i.e.: pediatrician, day care provider) for a free multidisciplinary evaluation (Core Evaluation) to determine eligibility.
Early Intervention services can help you and your family:
- Learn the best ways to care for your child.
- Support and promote your child's development.
- Include your child in your family and community life.
Early Intervention services can be provided anywhere in the community, including:
- Your home.
- Your child care center or family day care home.
- Recreational centers, play groups, playgrounds, libraries, or any place parents and children go for fun and support.
- Early childhood programs and centers.
As a parent, you help decide:
- What early intervention services your child and family need.
- The outcomes of early intervention that are important for your child and family.
- When and where your child and family will get early intervention services.
- Who will provide services to your child and family.
- You are the most important person in your child's life. You know your child best. You understand your child's needs, and what is helpful and what is not. You have the most information about – and responsibility for – your child's growth and development. In a world of professional titles, consider yourself a FAMILY INFORMATION SPECIALIST!
Our agency can provide you with useful information about the early intervention system. You may feel free to contact us at anytime.
We offer the following in conjunction with the Erie County Early Intervention Program:
The early years of a child's life are very important. During the infant and toddler years, children grow quickly and have so much to learn. Some children and families face special challenges and need extra help. Early help does make a difference!
The Early Intervention Program is a statewide program that provides many different types of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. In New York State, the Department of Health is the lead state agency responsible for the Early Intervention Program.
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