Early Intervention Services

Early Intervention Services are for eligible infants, toddlers and preschoolers with developmental delays. These services are designed to identify and meet children’s needs in five developmental areas:

• Physical – ability to move, see and hear;
• Cognitive – ability to learn;
• Communication – ability to understand language and express needs;
• Social or emotional – ability to relate with others; and
• Adaptive skills – ability to dress, eat and take care of yourself.

Parents and family members, doctors, hospital and public health nurses, WIC clinics, and childcare providers can all refer a child for an early intervention evaluation. In Dakota County, all referrals for early intervention services go to each school district’s Early Childhood Special Education program. The services are made available through a federal law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Eligibility
For children birth to 3 years old
• The child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay regardless of whether the child has a need or delay right now; or
• The child is experiencing a delay that meets state criteria in one or more
areas of development.

For children 3 to 5 years old
• The child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high
probability of resulting in a developmental delay; or
• The child has a delay that meets state criteria in two or more areas of development;

* Children 3 to 5 years old must also have a need for special education in order to be eligible.

For more information, contact the Early Intervention Coordinator near you.

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If you have any concerns about AUTISM then this is the best route for you. Early intervention can make all the difference in an autistic child's life as well as the parent's.