Early intervention is a program provided for children birth through five years of age. This is a time period that is crucial for children in regard to nurturing their overall development and well-being. Research has shown that the first five years of a child's life are the most critical in terms of brain development and laying the foundation for future learning and success. It is also considered the “critical period” for language development. By being consistent with well check visits and becoming well informed of age appropriate milestones etc, it will allow for early identification of delays that your child may be experiencing. Once identified, the goal will be to address these areas of concern and help each child to reach their full potential and thrive.
Early intervention services in the state of South Carolina are under the South Carolina Department of Human and Health Services, most commonly known as BabyNet and are recommended to be provided in a natural environment.
The methods of intervention are often routine based as well as play based. Babynet covers birth through three years of age and DDSN provides support for after 3 services.
The services provided are designed to support children who may be experiencing delays in areas such as speech and language, motor skills, social-emotional development, or cognitive abilities. These services can include therapy, education, and support for both the child and their family. The goal is to provide tailored interventions that address the specific needs of each child and help them overcome any obstacles they may be facing. It is important to really emphasize the importance of family involvement as we recognize the caregivers as an essential part of the child’s team allowing for therapeutic activities to become embedded into daily routines with support.
Early intervention is divided up into two categories; Family Training and Service Coordination. Oftentimes, family training is conducted by your Early Interventionist also known as your EI. While resources and family assistance is provided by your Service Coordinator. Depending on the company providing your early intervention services to your family, these two roles can be provided by the same person or multiple people. Let’s explain a little more about each of these services.
When meeting your EI/SC for your first Initial Meeting, they will discuss the meaning of Family Training (FT) and Service Coordination (SC) to you. They will also work with you in explaining all that Early Intervention can provide and do based on your families and your child’s needs. Family Training is a service where an Early Interventionist meets with the family weekly either in a natural environment setting ( some examples could be at home, daycare or a family members house) and while working on outcomes developed in your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (also known as an IFSP), they will focus on caregiver involvement and education. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in their child's development, and early intervention services often include education and support for families to help them better understand their child's needs and how to support their growth and development at home.
The IFSP meeting is one of the many items that your Service Coordinator will assist your family with during your time in Early Intervention. This is the plan that will state your families concerns, information about your child such as their health needs, eligibility reasons and any important information that will help providers understand your child’s needs better. On the IFSP you will also be able to find which therapies you’re seeking or that are being provided to your child as well as the frequency of each one. According to the SC BabyNet regulations Family Training can be provided up to 4x a month for 60 minutes. Other services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy are typically 1x weekly for 60 minutes but can vary in frequency due to the needs of the child based on their evaluation. Every six months, your child is re-evaluated for milestones based on their age, which then helps the Early Intervention team update the child’s progress notes and IFSP.
Following the development of your child’s IFSP, your EI/SC will contact your child’s Pediatrician and request medical records including the Rx for any therapies that your family is seeking for your child. The EI/SC will then follow up with referrals for evaluations of the disciplines chosen during the IFSP based on your child’s needs. Once a therapy provider accepts the referral, your child will be evaluated and a plan of care is then developed based on the results of their individual evaluation.
Early Intervention is the result of many providers collaborating together to provide services that best fit your child’s needs. It's important for parents to be aware of the signs of developmental delays in young children and to seek help if they have concerns about their child's development. Early intervention services are available in many communities and can make a significant difference in a child's life. Your child can receive these services in the home or at daycare pending on the company that you’re working with and their willingness to travel to your child’s daycare location. Communication Cottage Therapy provides services in many daycares in both Horry and Georgetown counties.
In conclusion, if you’re noticing that your child is not meeting age appropriate milestones or seems to be delayed compared to peers their age we always recommend speaking to your child’s Pediatrician. They can help you track these milestones and confirm if early intervention is the next step for your child’s development. By identifying and addressing any developmental delays early on, we can help children reach their full potential and set them up for future success.
For additional information visit our website to learn how to get started: https://www.communicationcottagetherapy.com/services/early-intervention. Always remember that engaging in early intervention for young children is an investment in their future and can make a lasting impact on their lives.
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