Early Intervention Looking For Early Intervention Services? We Can Help

Early Intervention

No two children are the same—each one is unique. And that’s why it’s sometimes hard to tell when you should be concerned about differences between infants and toddlers of the same age.  Most differences are nothing to worry about, but in some children the differences can signal a need for Early Intervention.

What is Early Intervention?

When you contact Kids On The Move, our caring professionals will listen to your concerns and conduct a full developmental assessment of your child at no cost.  Eligible children will receive services to help them grow and learn during the first 3 years of life.  Services include developmental assessments, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, hearing and vision assessment, nursing, nutrition and parent training classes.  Most Early Intervention services will be provided at a convenient time for your family in your home or other familiar places where your child learns and plays.

Who is Eligible?

Children residing in the Alpine School District under the age of three with a significant delay in one or more of the following areas:

  • Physical development
  • Vision and hearing
  • Feeding
  • Social and emotional development
  • Communication and language
  • Learning, problem solving and play skills

Many children with a diagnosed medical condition also qualify for services.

If your child qualifies for the Kids On The Move early intervention program, he or she may receive a variety of services based on their individual needs.  Not all children in the program receive every service since Early Intervention services are determined by the child’s individual developmental needs.  If your child qualifies for services, you may be charged a participation fee based on a sliding fee scale.  The cost ranges from $0-$200 per month.  Depending on your child’s needs his, or her early intervention services may include the following services.

Early Intervention Program Services

COMPREHENSIVE INITIAL EVALUATION

Finding out what your child does well and what concerns there are is the first step in helping your child develop new skills. We tailor the initial evaluation to meet your family needs. We will look at all areas of development including health, hearing and vision. The evaluation typically includes administering a nationally accepted test, observation of your child in your home and with your permission we may ask to collect relevant information from other professionals, such as your doctor.

NURSE

A registered nurse comes to your home to do a health, hearing and vision assessment as part of the overall assessment. We learn about your child’s current health, hearing and vision status which helps us design the needed services, if your child is eligible for Early Intervention services.

INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN

Parents develop a plan that lists child and family goals as well as the services and supports needed to reach the goals. Goals can include things such as helping a child meet a developmental milestone, improving interactions with siblings, finding parent support, or interaction with other parents. The plan is reviewed and updated every 6 months.

SERVICE COORDINATION

Service Coordinators will assist the family in finding and getting needed services by linking to other resources in the community and implementing your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan.

HOME VISITS

Certified and licensed professionals come to your home and together you will plan learning experiences and activities to support your child’s growth and development.

DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIALIST

A credentialed Early Intervention Specialist is trained to address all areas of development with an emphasis in social-emotional, thinking and learning skills. They will work with you and your child to optimize your child’s development.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

A licensed Occupational Therapist will help you work on your child’s fine motor, sensory, self-help and feeding skills.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

A licensed Physical Therapist will help you work on your child’s motor development, strength, coordination, balance and functional abilities.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

A licensed Speech Language Pathologist will work with your child to address delays in communication, language, speech, emergent literacy and or feeding/swallowing skills, through early intervention speech therapy.

Classes & Playgroups

Parent Training classes are open to enrolled and general public families depending upon availability. There may be a small fee included.

PARENT-CHILD PLAYGROUPS

The child is accompanied by a parent or caregiver in a social environment which supports the parent-child relationship in ways that are tailored to the particular learning needs of the children and parents in the group.

INFANT MASSAGE

A one-time class (1 1/2 hours) taught by a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI). Parents bring baby with them as they learn and practice massage techniques and sequences established by Loving Touch Foundation. Infant massage cultivates love, compassion, respect and well-being for infants and children through touch.

GREAT BEGINNINGS

This parent class meets once a week (1 1/2 hours) for 2 weeks. Parents learn about their child’s communication, hearing, and language development. Class also includes training in basic strategies to promote language development and how to work these strategies into daily routines at home.

FLOORTIME

This parent class meets once a week (1 1/2 hours) for 3 weeks. Parents learn how to enhance communication between parent and child through play and social interactions with an emphasis in problem solving and complex communication strategies.

SIBSHOPS

This recreational workshop is for children ages 7-13 who have a sibling with special needs. They enjoy a spirited mix of fun games, making new friends, discussion/education activities and lunch.  They share the joys and frustrations of having a sibling with special needs. Sibshops are held monthly at Kids On The Move on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00-12:30.  We serve all families in the community and the cost is $5 per child or covered by Kids On The Move if under an IFSP.

 

 

View Classes Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is Early Intervention important?

    During the first 3 years of life, your child’s brain and body are growing rapidly. The earlier a delay or disability is identified, the better the chances are that services can help your child reach his/her potential.

  • What does Early Intervention cost?

    The majority of the cost of services is covered through state and federal funding. You may be charged a small monthly participation fee, based on your family’s ability to pay, but services will not be denied based on an inability to pay.

  • What if I am concerned that my child is developing slower than other children?

    Review the list of typical developmental milestones and make a referral for a free evaluation and developmental assessment.

  • What does a free evaluation and assessment look like?

    A child development specialist will come to your home to meet with you. The evaluation usually includes observing your child, asking you questions about your child’s development and testing your child in several areas of development.

  • What is an Individualized Family Service Plan or IFSP?

    The IFSP is a treatment plan created by parents and other team members. It outlines the goals for your child and family as well as services you will receive to help you and your child meet the goals.

  • What is included in early intervention services and where are services provided?

    Children may qualify for a variety of services based on their individual needs. Services are provided primarily in the home or where a child typically spends each day. Kids On The Move offers center-based services depending on the individual needs of the child and the family.

  • How are parents involved in the process?

    As a parent of a child eligible for early intervention services, you have rights that guarantee you and your child certain protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

  • What if my child is above age three?

    Please contact the Early Childhood Assessment Center at 801-610-8216 to schedule a developmental assessment.