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Colorful Toys

Early Intervention 

Early intervention (EI) is the process of providing services and support to infants, toddlers, and their families when a child has, or is at risk for, a developmental delay, disability, or health condition that may affect typical development and learning.

What is the Goal?

The goal of EI is to lessen the effects of a disability or delay by addressing identified needs of young children across five developmental areas:

 

  • Cognitive development

  • Communication development

  • Physical development, including vision and hearing

  • Social or emotional development

  • Adaptive development

What is the SLP's Role?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in EI are qualified to provide services to families and their young children who demonstrate, or are at risk for developing, delays, or disabilities in communication, speech, language, cognition, emergent literacy, and/or feeding and swallowing.

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Some appropriate roles for the SLP include:

  • Engaging in prevention and early identification

  • Developing a plan for implementing services and supports

  • Provide ongoing screening and diagnostic testing

  • Use naturalistic approach by providing services in the child's natural setting

    • (e.g. home, daycare)

  • Providing and educating parents with parent training and resources

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