Early Intervention

The first three years are a critical time for your child’s active brain development. While infants and toddlers learn at their own pace, some need extra help as they learn and grow. Other children have special health care needs or diagnosed conditions which require focused services and treatment to support their developmental outcomes.

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention services may begin at any time before the age of three. The earlier concerns about your infant or toddler’s development are identified and intervention begins, the better outcome for the child and family. In Utah, Early Intervention services for children ages 0-3 are administered by the Utah Department of Health Baby Watch Early Intervention Program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Since 1986, Kids Who Count has been providing Early Intervention services to families residing in the Nebo School District boundaries.

How do I get started?

Kids Who Count provides a full developmental evaluation as the first step to find out if your child is eligible for Early Intervention Services. Evaluations are provided at NO COST to the family. This takes place in your home with you, your child, and a team of early intervention professionals who will talk to you about your child and observe their development in the following areas:

Cognitive
Communication and language
Social, emotional and behavior
Physical development and motor skills
Self-help/adaptive
Hearing and vision

Children under the age of three with moderate delays in one or more areas of development may qualify for Early Intervention services.

What does Early Intervention cost?

Your child’s developmental evaluation is provided at no cost to the family. Families may be charged a small monthly participation fee, depending on the family’s ability to pay. The majority of the cost of services is paid for by federal and state funds.

How are Early Intervention Services provided?

Early Intervention is a parent/family-focused approach that enables caregivers to find learning opportunities in their child’s daily routines. Parents or caregivers work with their Early Intervention providers to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outlining goals for the child and family and the services they will receive.

Services are provided in a child’s natural environment; the home or a community setting that is familiar to a child and their family. The type of services a child receives depends on their unique needs and may include the following.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy services help children enhance their strength and mobility so they can become independent and safely participate in activities around their home and community. Physical therapists facilitate the development of large motor skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, walking and running.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy services enhance the quality and coordination of fine movements in children such as reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects, as well as functional skills like eating and dressing. Occupational Therapists also help to identify challenges related to the way a child processes and responds to sensory information.

Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy services focus on increasing expressive language skills such as gestures, sign language, pictures, augmentative communication systems, spoken language, or receptive language skills such as understanding and following directions. Each depends on the nature of a child’s communication challenges. Speech services also help children develop oral motor skills related to both speaking and eating.

Social Work

Social Work services can be offered when parents may benefit from a social worker who will listen to their concerns and assist them in planning for services and assistance. Social work services may include linking families to necessary community resources. In some cases, a family may be eligible for counseling, individual therapy or support groups to help them receive the emotional support they need to care for their child.

Nursing Services

Nursing Services include in-home health, hearing and vision assessment by a registered nurse. An early intervention nurse monitors the overall health of a child and can coordinate with a medical provider to support the child’s development.

Nutrition Services

Nutritional services are provided by a registered dietician specializing in pediatrics. A dietician will evaluate the nutritional history and dietary intake of a child, feeding skills and problems, and food habits and preferences. They help parents and caregivers develop a plan to address the nutritional needs of the child.

Early Childhood Special Education

Services are provided by state-certified Child Development Specialists who are trained to help young children develop foundational skills in all areas of development. Child Development Specialists use coaching strategies to help parents support the learning and development throughout their child’s daily routines.

Ongoing Developmental Evaluation

Ongoing Developmental Evaluation is conducted during the time children are receiving early intervention services to monitor a child’s progress and determine what services are needed to support his or her continuing development.

Community Parent/Child Playgroups

Community Parent/Child Playgroups can be offered when children need services in a social environment that extends beyond their home. Playgroups provide a unique opportunity for parents and their child to practice skills in a different learning environment with the support of staff and other parents and children. Kids Who Count facilitates playgroups at our center and other community locations such as parks or the library.

Family Training/Parent Support

Family Training/Parent Support services are offered to help parents understand their child’s developmental needs and how to help him or her learn during their daily routines together. Parents have the opportunity to connect with other parents facing the challenges and rewards of caring for a child with special needs.