EARLY INTERVENTION
What Is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention is services and supports designed to help families with children reach their full potential. All children grow and learn at different rates. Children who are developing more slowly than other children may be eligible for Early Intervention services.
Where Do I start?
Parents that have questions about their child's development should call Crawford County Human Services Base Service Unit at 814-724-8380
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If you have concerns about your child's development you have the right to request a full evaluation and your Service Coordinator will set this up for you. This evaluation can take place in your home and will look at five areas of your child's development. The five developmental areas are:
- Physical Development – ability to move, see and hear;
- Language and Speech Development – ability to talk and express needs;
- Social and Emotional Development – ability to interact with others
- Self Help Skills – ability to complete skills used in daily living such as eating and dressing.
- Cognitive Development – Ability to think and learn
The results of this evaluation will determine whether your child is eligible to receive services.
Who Is Eligible for Early Intervention Services?
Infant and Toddlers (birth to three years) who have:
- a significant delay in one or more areas of development;
- a physical disability, a hearing loss or vision loss;
- a specialist's determination that there is a delay even if it doesn't show up on the assessments;
- known physical or mental conditions which have a high probability for developmental delays.
Preschoolers (three to five years of age) who have: - a significant delay in one or more areas of development;
- a physical disability, a hearing loss or vision loss;
- a significant delay in one or more areas of development;
- a physical disability, a hearing loss or vision loss.
Where do Families receive services?
Services may be provided in the child's home, child care center, nursery school, play group, Head Start program, or other setting familiar to the family.
What Services are available?
- Service Coordination
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Developmental Instruction
- Speech Therapy
- Hearing Impaired Instruction
- Visual Impaired Instruction
- Nutritional Therapy
Service Coordinators assist families access and receive services, resources and supports that they need for their child's development.
Physical Therapy – A certified physical therapist primarily addresses gross motor activities. Physical therapy may improve independence and the quality of movement.
Occupational therapy – A certified occupational therapist provides services to address the fine motor needs of children. The occupational therapist works at improving self-help skills such as feeding and dressing and works with sensory integration deficits.
Speech/Language Pathologist – A certified speech/language pathologist treats children with communication delays or oral pharyngeal disorders. The speech/language pathologist assists children by providing language interventions and strategies and addresses feeding dysfunctions.
Developmental Instruction – A certified special education teacher/early childhood teacher assists in the child's acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental areas.
Hearing Impaired Therapy - A certified hearing impairment teacher assists children and families with communication methods, such as sign language.
Vision Therapy – A certified teacher of the visually impaired assists children and families with visual strategies.
Nutritional Therapy- A certified dietician - nutritionist assists the family in evaluating the child's nutritional history and dietary intake. Food habits and preferences are assessed.
Planning a Successful Transition
When a child turns three years of age, responsibility for funding early intervention services changes from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This transition will involve a change in who pays for the child's services and may change the program or placement of services. The Service Coordinator will guide the family and child through this process.
