red flags Archives - Early Intervention Strategies for Success

If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check out the first blog post in this 2-part series, Milestone or Modern Convenience? – Part I: Overuse of the Sippy Cup and Pacifier, to learn important information about an infant’s need for sucking and the risks involved with overuse of the pacifier and sippy, cup!

Now that …

Although shocking to many, the sippy cup is NOT a developmental milestone. Nor is sucking on a pacifier, for that matter. But why do we (therapists, parents and caregivers) celebrate these acquired “skills” as developmentally appropriate achievements? Why do we allow these “skills” to happen for much longer than they should? Is it just easier …

Abby has significant motor delays. Her mother asks you some version of this question during every visit: “Is it my fault that Abby isn’t walking yet?” or “What did I do to cause this?” The question itself makes you uncomfortable, because you can’t really answer it well and because you feel like you’ve tried to answer …

Joey is 25 months old. He was referred to his local early intervention intake coordinator by his parents secondary to their concerns about his intelligibility and inability to effectively communicate his needs or wants. They reported that he uses approximately 15 words but “talks in such a garbled manner” that both parents and Joey’s older …

Preemie Pop Quiz
Do you know the stats on prematurity? Take this pop quiz to see what you know and keep reading for answer and tips you can use when supporting preemies and their families!

1. A premature birth is one that occurs before ___ weeks gestation.

2. Approximately how many children are born premature each year?

3. When do …

Meet Chris – He and his family have moved 7 times since he was born and are now staying with friends. Chris was referred to your program by his mother at the suggestion of her friend’s mom. The referral said that Chris was 29 months old and not walking. When you arrive for the screening, you see …

“Come look at his knees,” a concerned parent asked me.

The toddler climbed off the couch and ran, no, barreled towards me.

“Look! When he stands, his knees are touching! What’s wrong with his legs?”

“He’s 2-years-old, right?” I asked.

“Yes,” said the mom.

“Nothing, this is typical knee alignment for his age. Let me explain…”

Parents are most concerned about …

It’s Thursday, the week’s almost over, and I bet you were just thinking…man, I sure wish I had a few ideas to help (insert child’s name) use his hands to play! 🙂

You may be supporting an infant or toddler who has cerebral palsy or another neurological condition that causes increased muscle tone. If the child has tightly fisted …

Miguel is 19 months old and lives with a large family that includes his parents, three older siblings, an aunt, and his grandparents. He qualified for early intervention due to delays in gross motor development and low muscle tone. He’s also showing some slight delays in his expressive communication. During his assessment and subsequent intervention …

During the assessment, the professional team members notice some soft neurological signs in Seiko’s development, such as an indwelling thumb, slight scissoring of her legs, and low muscle tone in her trunk. Seiko was referred to early intervention by her pediatrician because she is 14 months old and not yet sitting or crawling. According to her …

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Milestone or Modern Convenience? – Part II: What to Do When the Convenience Becomes a Hard to Break Habit

Milestone or Modern Convenience? – Part I: Overuse of the Sippy Cup & Pacifier

Abby’s Mother Asks Again: “Is it my fault?”

Address the Language: The Speech will Follow!

Preemie Pop Quiz & Tips

Preaching to the Choir about Early Screening Resources – Spread the Word!

Bowlegged? Knock-knees? Oh My! – Knee Alignment in Infancy & Childhood

2 Simple Tricks for Tiny Fisted Hands

Are Cultural Differences Truly Developmental Delays?

Why Didn’t Our Pediatrician Catch This Earlier??

It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later!

Supporting Social and Emotional Development: What ALL Early Interventionists Can Do!

Baskin Robbins: How Do I Decide?

Get the Backstory: Validating and Valuing Family Input

EI Awareness Month in VA – The Power of Family Stories

Resource Alert! – Check Out the New Transition Learning Path

The Unspoken Realities of Child Abuse during a Pandemic

Successfully Engaging Caregivers in the Child Outcomes Summary Process Virtually

Call to Action! Service Coordination and Early Intervention – DEC/ITCA Position Statement