Parenting Op-Ed: What You Need to Know About Early Intervention Services

If you or your child’s pediatrician think that your infant or toddler may be delayed or have a problem you may be eligible for Early Intervention Services.

Early Intervention covers children from birth to age three and is free of charge to local families. Areas of development covered are speech, motor development, cognitive, adaptive, and social. EI services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological counseling, nursing services, nutrition services, vision services, assistive technology devices, family education and counseling, and parent support groups.

It is a wholly voluntary program. You can call the Suffolk County office at 631-853-3100 to ask questions, you can follow up to receive evaluations and not go forward with any therapies you do not wish to have.

Any services received through EI will not go on any “permanent record.” Preschools, day care providers, school districts, and anyone else will never know that your child was either evaluated or received services—without your written consent—unless you volunteer the information.

If you think your child has a delay or disability, what should you do? Who should you call? What should you expect?

1. Speak to your pediatrician. He or she will provide you with information and hand-outs about developmental milestones. Pamphlets about age-appropriate milestones may also be obtained from our local libraries
2. If you decide to enquire about EI services, call 631-853-3100. This is the Suffolk County Division of Services for Children with Special Needs. Its office is through the Suffolk County Health Department. At the above number you will reach EI referrals. That person will then connect you to an Early Intervention Coordinator who will answer your questions, walk you through the process, help you find evaluators and, if necessary, therapists. Your coordinator is your liaison from beginning to end of Early Intervention.
3. Your coordinator will give you a list of agencies from which to choose. Call one or more agencies until you speak to someone with whom you are comfortable. Arrange, through the agency, for an evaluation for your child. Evaluations are done in your own home.
4. If it is determined that your child needs and is eligible for services, and you want to go forward and have your child receive them, the agency will arrange for a therapist to work with your child. Typically, therapies also take place in your home.

As a point of reference, these are what each of the above five areas refers to: Motor/Physical Development includes skills such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. Adaptive refers to self care skills. These include chewing, swallowing, and dressing oneself. Social skills include eye contact and relating to others. Autism screening is in this category. Cognitive is intellectual and in young children includes play skills and interaction with toys. Speech includes babbling and speaking.

There is a range of ages for developmental milestones and, again, pamphlets from your doctor or library can provide more detailed information about when you should expect each skill to emerge. If you do not see your infant or toddler doing typically age-appropriate things call to speak to someone about a possible Early Intervention evaluation. Early detection and professional help are available to everyone in our community with no charge to the family.

Patch contributor Jennifer Senft is a single mother living in Aquebogue. She also participates in North Fork Patch's "mom's council" every Wednesday afternoon.