The information contained in these slides was shared during NAEYC's 2016 Institute for Professional Development conference held in Baltimore, Maryland June 5-8, 2016. These slides consolidate much of the early intervention information shared by SFL's Director of Early Childhood Education Initiatives, Kamna Seth, and Senior Manager, Gauri Shirali-Deo. The topic presented, Understanding Early Intervention: Reflecting on the Scope, Need for Early Diagnosis, and Implementation of Early Intervention, underscores the importance of identifying developmental delays and developing educational strategies to address the needs of diverse learners.

1. Understanding
Early Intervention
Definition, Scope &
Importance
By Kamna Seth & Gauri Shirali-Deo
SourceForLearning.org/ECEI

2. On Twitter
@SFLECEI
#SFLEarlyEducation
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3. Defining Features of Inclusion
• Access
• Participation
• Supports
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4. Definition of Delay
• When a child does not meet developmental
milestones at anticipated times, there is said to be
a developmental delay.
• Delays impact:
– Language and mobility
– Learning and self-help
– Social emotional development
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5. Early Intervention Is a
Coordinated System
• Enhances children’s development
• Supports families during important early years
• Building collaboration between families and service
providers early on helps children, families and
communities.
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6. Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act
• Mandates some services for eligible children and
families.
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7. Scope
• In 2006-2008, 1 in 6 children in the United States
were diagnosed with a developmental delay.
• The number of children with some disabilities is
growing, requiring more support services.
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8. Causes
• Biological
– Genetic or during birth
• Environmental
– Health
– Nutrition
• Unknown
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9. In the Early Years …
• … these delays are more commonly seen:
– Hearing impairments
– Vision impairments
– Speech and language
– Physical delays
– ASD
– Sensory processing disorders
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10. Early Diagnosis Is Important
• Brain plasticity
• “Toxic stress”
• Brain strengthened by early supportive experiences
• Cognitive and language skill development needs a
base of social emotional framework
• Improve consequences
• Effective and less expensive
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11. Using Data Meaningfully
• Data can be used to identify children’s needs and
strengths
• Information can be used to assess status, create
learning opportunities, provide support and
intervention, and direct families to available
community resources.
• Effectively sharing ongoing assessment information
with families helps build strong relationships which
enhance children’s learning
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12. Tools to Determine Delays
• Family concerns
• Not achieving or delay in achieving milestones
• Teacher concerns
• Ongoing assessment-observation and documentation
• Long-term lack of progress
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13. Processes to Initiate & Support
Early Intervention
• Surveillance
• Screening
• Evaluation
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14. Supporting the Team
• Take and provide notes for the team
• Accommodate therapists
• Collaborate with interventionists to embed strategies
into daily routines
• Collaborate and support families
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15. Barriers to Early Intervention
• Miscommunication
• Misunderstanding the referral process
• Beliefs about their own expertise or the self-
resolution of delays
• Practical hurdles such as time to fill out paperwork
• Language barriers
• Fear that service providers may be from CPS
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16. Resource Links
• Overview of EI
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ei-overview/
• Trends in Development Delays
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/features/birthdefects-dd-
keyfindings.html
• Early Identification/Child Find
http://www.specialeducationguide.com/early-intervention/early-
identification-how-the-child-find-program-works/
• Supporting Milestones
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/MilestoneMomentsE
ng508.pdf
• Collaborating with EI Team
http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/upload/pdf/Using_Routines_Based_I
nterventions_in_Early_Childhood_Special_Education_Danielle_Jennings_Mary
_Frances_Hanline_Juliann_Woods.pdf
• Resources for Parents
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/nichcy-resources/
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17. For More Information
• Kamna Seth, M.S.
Director, ECE Initiatives
The Source for Learning, Inc.
kseth@sflinc.org
• Gauri Shirali-Deo, M Ed.
Senior Manager, ECE Initiatives
The Source for Learning, Inc.
gdeo@sflinc.org
• The Source for Learning, Inc.
Early Childhood Education Initiatives
www.sourceforlearning.org/ECEI
ece-pd@sflinc.org
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