Yes, that’s one of the things that I love about early intervention! It is still a relatively young field which is continuing to grow. We are in the midst of defining our field’s evidence-based practices so there is always much to learn!

Biases are something we should always be aware of at all times. You are right and families may be at different phases in their own process. Some families are experiencing a loss of the typically developing child they envisioned throughout pregnancy. Some families love their child so much but also experience shame when they are alongside other children progressing more than their child. This is something to always be mindful of especially when providing services out in the community. I had one family who did not want any assistive technology devices. Their child was two years old and working on rolling over. Mom did not want to be seen with any equipment that would make her child look different. We have to remain respectful and aware of the caregiver’s needs as well. Gentle reminders are great because sometimes a family has to hear something numerous times before they may be ready and that is okay.

Great point. Dynamic Systems Theory by Esther Thelen is a more recent theoretical approach. When I was in school, we learned about nature versus nurture. Dynamic Systems Theory shows the continuous interplay of nature and nurture that changes a system over time. There are so many dynamics in a child’s life. The stress of one family may be different than another which can greatly impact the priorities for each family. I always like to think of children as snowflakes because each one is unique.

This is a very valid point. Understanding adult learning styles are highly important to help ensure there is carryover throughout the child’s day. I used to work with one mother who visually needed reminders. She would set-up little post-it notes to help cue her during different routines in various rooms of the house until she felt more confident. This mother felt like she provided more learning opportunities for her child because she had the visual cues which gave her more time to practice.

Yes, our goal is to help children become active daily participants. I always think of the checklists we complete as adults at the doctor. When I am going to the doctor for a check-up or a specific issue, you fill out a form that reviews various symptoms. While these symptoms are important, the questions the doctor asks me in the room about how it may impact my functioning at work or at home is most important. This also makes me feel like the doctor is actually listening to me versus trying to solve a problem. Families are the same way. They want their child to engage with them when they go out into the community or at home during simple routines. You are absolutely right it may look different based on the individualization of each child and family.