Early InterventionEarly InterventionEarly InterventionEarly InterventionCE101 CE101
Adapted fromAdapted fromJessica Rodriguez’s PresentationJessica Rodriguez’s Presentation
Risk Factors for Children
• Living at or below poverty level• Living in a single-parent household• Being born to a teen-ager• Low parent education• Parent unemployment• Low birth weight• Living with a disability (Folari, 2007)
What is Early Intervention?
• Identifying children between birth and school age for potential handicaps or other special needs that may affect their development
• Providing services for children to lessen the effect of the condition
• Helping children with existing problems and preventing future problems (Smith, 1988)
Early Intervention Focus
Intervention may include:• Child alone• Child and familyPrograms may be:• Center-based• Home-based• Hospital-based• A combination(Smith, 1988)
Reasons for Early Intervention
• To support the child’s development• To provide support and assistance
to the family• To maximize the child’s and
family’s benefit to society(Smith, 1988)
Rational for Supporting the
Child’s Development• Rate of learning is most rapid
during preschool years• We want to ensure child does not
miss the opportunity to learn when he/she is most ready
• Child may have difficulty learning skills later on (Smith, 1988)
Rational for Supporting the
Child’s Family• Families with an exceptional child may feel
disappointed, alone, stressed, frustrated, and helpless
• Families of exceptional children have higher instance of divorce, suicide, and child abuse
• Intervention can support improved attitudes and provide information and skills for working with their child (Smith, 1988)
Rational for the Benefit to Society
• Society will reap benefits from early intervention
• Intervention increases child’s development and educational gains (thereby decreasing dependence on social institutions)
• Child has increased eligibility for employment and economic/social benefit (Smith, 1988)
Is Intervention Effective?
Research indicates that EI:• Increases development and
educational gains of child• Improves family life• Has long-term benefits for
society (Smith, 1988)
Effects on the ChildResearch indicates EI results in:• Fewer children needing special ed.• Fewer children are retained• Some children are indistinguishable
from nonhandicapped classmates (Smith, 1988)
Critical Features of Early Intervention
•The age of the child •Parent involvement•The intensity/amount of
structure of the program (Smith, 1988)
Head Start’s Focus• Physical health and wellness• Nutrition• Mental health• Medical and dental care• Social, emotional, and cognitive
development• Parent support• Community-based service (Follari, 2007)
Weekly Quote….
• “I do believe that when we face challenges in life that are far beyond our own power, it's an opportunity to build on our faith, inner strength, and courage. I've learned that how we face challenges plays a big role in the outcome of them.”
–Sasha Azevedo