Early Intervention Strategies for Success

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

 

Embedding Strategies into Family Routines: One PT’s Perspective

Posted on August 01, 2012 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

I agree with Mahoney, Robinson and Perales (2004), “….the time has come to stop talking about parent involvement and to commit to learning how such involvement can be accomplished across a range of family constellations, circumstances, and values.”  When I first start working with a family I explain that there shouldn’t be a “therapy” hour …

Weathering the Storm: How Service Coordinators Manage Difficult Situations

Posted on June 12, 2012 by in All, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, Teamwork

Early interventionists know service coordinators wear several hats. We are advocators, coordinators, problem solvers, and mediators.   Service coordinators are leaders in the IFSP process and active listeners to parents and providers.   We have to be creative and sometimes think outside the box to help children reach their greatest potential.

Service coordination has many rewards and challenges …

Parents – The Key to Success

Posted on June 06, 2012 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

Let’s face it …as Early Interventionists most of us can establish rapport with anyone under 3 feet tall in about 2 seconds. Sometimes, however, establishing rapport and building a relationship with parents is not that easy! In my experience, the interventionist/parent relationship is critical to the success of the intervention…it is one of the primary …

Family Engagement in Early Childhood Education

Posted on May 12, 2012 by in All, Engaging Families, Practical Strategies

In the early 80’s we used the term “family involvement.” There was an implied sense that early childhood professionals were bringing families into their inner sanctum. The alphabet soup of special education jargon was revealed; parents became members on various boards and family members began to “negotiate the special education maze.” (Anderson, Chitwood, & Hayden …

Helping Families Bridge the Gap between Your Visit & the Rest of the Week

Posted on April 26, 2012 by in All, Bridging the Gap, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

We know that, in early intervention, collaboration between the parent and the service provider is critical for successful intervention. For years, early intervention practitioners have espoused a use of family-centered practices, which means that we partner with families, respect and encourage their decision-making, support their active participation, and focus on the child’s development within the …

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