Early Intervention Strategies for Success

Sharing What Works in Supporting Infants & Toddlers and the Families in Early Intervention

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You know the feeling…you see a family you support at the mall or Wal-Mart.  It happens on the weekend or in the evening outside of an intervention visit. In those few seconds before they see you, you have to decide what to do. Do you go over and say “hi” or do you wait to see …

Imagine that you are the parent sitting on the floor watching several people who you don’t know interact with your child. At some point, the time comes to find out what they think about your child’s development. This is an anxiety-producing moment, no matter how sure you are of what’s going on with your child.

Now …

Let me say it again…parents should never ever sign an incomplete IFSP. Or a blank prior notice form. Or a blank or incomplete anything.
There are so many reasons why this is not a good idea…here are 5 of them.
1. The IFSP is a Contract

First and foremost, the IFSP is a contract between the early intervention program and the …

Pick a visit, any visit. Walk in the door and…what are you most likely to see? What’s the most common activity to occur on a visit?

Well, the title of this post surely gave it away, but you are very likely to see the provider and child playing with toys. Why? Why do we still find ourselves sitting on …

Baby Massage Instruction
My last article discussed some of the many benefits of baby massage and how practitioners could use it to improve functional skills in babies, educate parents, and enhance our overall practice. In this article I provide an overview of some baby massage strokes.  I would like to reiterate the importance of demonstrating the …

The practice of early intervention (EI) is always evolving and changing as new evidence comes to light about how to support children and families. This brief summarizes a research study that examined perceptions and experiences of EI providers as they implemented a new service delivery approach. It is followed by strategies you can use to …

Has anyone other than me struggled to get a 17 month old to “obtain toy with stick?” How many 24 month olds have you been able to get to cooperate with “walks approximately on line” or “attempt to fold paper?”

Some items on developmental assessments that are just challenging to administer. You can find guidance in the assessment manuals (which …

Does this sound familiar?

Devin is a happy little boy who enjoys playing with musical toys, splashing in the bathtub, and looking at books with his grandmother. During the assessment today, Devin was able to stack three blocks, scribble with a crayon, and point to four pictures in a book. He sat independently, pulled to stand at …

You are 20 minutes into the intervention visit when the mother gets a call. Her preschooler’s teacher is calling because the child is ill and needs to be picked up. She asks you if she can just run up the street and pick up her child while you stay with the toddler. You have been …

“Massaging your baby is a very special way to let them know they are safe, loved and understood. A daily massage lays the foundation for a lifetime of self esteem for your baby and good communication between the two of you.”

-Vilma McClure Founder, The International Association of Infant Massage Instructors.
The first communication a baby receives …

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