Early Intervention Strategies for Success

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

 

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

Posted on May 19, 2015 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

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 …

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

Posted on May 12, 2015 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

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 …

Ditch the Animal Sounds! – Who’s Ready for the Next Talks on Tuesday?!

Posted on April 30, 2015 by in All, Coaching Practices, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

It is hard to believe but it is almost May!  The final Talk of the two-part series, entitled “Ditch the Animal Sounds: Writing Appropriate Outcomes that Lead to Effective Implementation,” will be presented live on May 5th!  In anticipation of the upcoming webinar, I am excited to share with you just a few of the …

You are Not an Island…though It can Feel that Way

Posted on April 23, 2015 by in All, Practical Strategies, Professional Development, Teamwork

You drift from one intervention visit to another, seeing families and children all day. You might, if you’re lucky, have some time in the office before, between, or after visits to catch up on missed phone calls or emails, write contact notes, and/or attend a meeting or two. Your day is busy and full…so why …

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

Posted on April 16, 2015 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination

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 …

Address the Language: The Speech will Follow!

Posted on April 09, 2015 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

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 …

Watch Me! – Using Modeling as a Caregiver Teaching Tool

Posted on April 07, 2015 by in Adult Learning, All, Coaching Practices, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies

Lynn meets Devon and his mother, Janae, at the grocery store for their visit this week. When she arrives, she finds them trying to walk into the store. They are struggling because Devon is having a tantrum and Janae is trying to carry him while he kicks and screams. Lynn goes up to them and asks if …

Wait…Isn’t that Outcome TOO Specific?

Posted on March 31, 2015 by in All, IFSP Development, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, Teamwork

Have you been sitting in an IFSP meeting and heard another team member say “Wait…isn’t that outcome too specific?” or “If we put one specific routine in there, does that mean that’s the only way we work on this outcome?”

If these questions sound familiar, then read on (or watch the video blog on this topic) because by the …

What’s the Bottom Line Regarding Articulation in EI?!

Posted on March 24, 2015 by in All, IFSP Development, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Professional Development

On March 3, 2015, I was honored to present a Talk on Tuesday (ToT) webinar entitled, It’s Almost Never Apraxia: Understanding Appropriate Diagnoses of Speech in Early Intervention, that addressed appropriate diagnoses of speech sound disorders in infants and toddlers.  The participants had some great questions and we wanted to ensure that the conversation continues…so here I am!  My …

Mommy is Asleep and the Children are Alone…What Do You Do?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, What Would You Do?

You arrive at the family’s home and knock on the door. After several minutes, the door slowly opens and you look down to see a preschooler’s face. You ask her, “Is your mommy here?”

She answers, “She’s asleep.” You ask, “Is there another grown-up here with you?” and she shakes her head “no.” You look past …

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