Early childhood development systems help children from birth to age 3 with a diagnosed developmental delay or disability. These disabilities or delays might be immediately apparent at birth or they might appear over time. Each state administers its own early childhood intervention programs, so requirements for eligibility and payment for services will vary. Early childhood programs also support the families of children with disabilities or delays by providing support, education and other services.
Significance
Children learn and develop quickly during the first three years of life. During this time of rapid growth, children diagnosed with delays can often catch up with their peers if they receive appropriate therapy and treatment. If they do not receive the needed therapies during their first three years, the Global School Psychology Network cautions, they might fall even further behind. They might also experience difficulties learning the skill later if they miss this window of optimal learning.
Types of Developmental Delays or Disabilities
Early childhood intervention systems address the skills that most babies and toddlers develop in their first few years of life. These skills include physical milestones, such as crawling or walking; cognitive abilities, including the ability to learn and solve problems; communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication; social and emotional development; and self-help, such as eating or dressing.
Services
The programs and services offered by early childhood development systems can be simple or complex, depending upon the exact needs of a child, according to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Some children might simply need a prescription for glasses, while others need a variety of services and therapies. Some typical services provided by early childhood development programs include family training, counseling and home visits, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work services, nutrition services and psychological services.
Benefits
Early childhood programs can improve life for both the child with the disability and her family. Researchers working for the RAND Corporation, a non-profit research and analysis institution, evaluated 20 early childhood intervention programs and found that 19 had a favorable effect on child outcomes. The benefits of these programs included improved academic achievement and behavior, as well as higher education progression and attainment. The Global School Psychology Network adds that these programs can also benefit the families of children with disabilities by improving their attitudes about themselves and their child, as well as better information and skills to help them teach their child.
Potential
Early childhood development systems address the needs of children under the age of 3. If a child still needs services when he turns 3, he will need to transition into a preschool system. Early childhood development coordinators play a crucial role in helping parents plan for and manage this transition. Your coordinator can help you find out how to ensure your child continues to get the services he needs.
References
- Washington State Department of Learning: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers
- Rand Corporation: Proven Benefits of Early Childhood Interventions
- The Global School Psychology Network: Early Intervention and Early Childhood
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: Help for Babies (0 to 3)
