What Is Early Intervention?

The first three years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. Parents are often the first to notice when their child is not learning or growing like other infants and toddlers. Sometimes, as they grow, children may have trouble seeing, hearing, talking, walking or have other special needs. The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a system of services for children, birth to three years, who have suspected or diagnosed developmental delays or disabilities. It focuses on five (5) areas of developmental functioning including:

• Cognitive (playing, learning, problem solving)
• Communication (talking, understanding, making needs known)
• Physical (moving in the environment, manipulating objects)
• Adaptive (eating, sleeping, dressing)
• Social Emotional (interactions with others, mood, sense of security)