Early Intervention
- A system of services that assists babies and toddlers from birth through three-years-old who may have disabilities or developmental delays
- Therapist’s work with parents to coach and give them strategies to help their children’s skills expand and grow so they are prepared to enter the school system
- An EI team may consists of:
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Social Worker
- Teacher
- EI is family centered model in that the family makes the goals for their child and the positive developmental outcomes come from having the support of the child’s family
- EI settings:
- Home
- Daycares
- Community settings
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Early Intervention
- OTs assist in promoting the function and engagement of children from birth through three years old and their families in everyday routines by addressing, activities of daily living, sleep, play/leisure, education, and social participation
- OTs promote areas for growth and success in natural environments where the children and family live, work, and play
- EI occurs in a child’s natural environment, is culturally sensitive, evidenced based, and focuses on optimal participation within a child’s main occupations
- Services OT provide include:
- Fostering the bond between a child and his or her primary caregiver
- Addressing the child’s cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor abilities for educational success
- Empowers family members to become advocates for their child
- Assists with meeting developmental milestones
- Helps a child engage functionally in play
- Help establish morning, afternoon, and bathing/bedtime routines
- Communication development
- Social and emotional development
