What Is Early Intervention?

“Early intervention makes all the difference”
-- New York State Department of Health

Early intervention applies to children from birth to three years of age who are discovered to have or be at risk of developing a handicapping condition or other special need that may affect their development. Early intervention consists of the provision of services to children and their families for the purpose of maximizing each child’s particular strengths and ameliorating their weaknesses. Early intervention can be remedial or preventive in nature -- remediating the existing developmental problems or preventing their occurrence.

Early intervention focuses on the child and the family together as a unit. Early intervention may begin at any time between birth and three years of age; however, there are many reasons for it to begin as early as possible. Early intervention programs may be center-based, home-based, hospital-based, or a combination. Services range from identification -- that is, hospital or school screening and referral services -- to diagnostic and direct intervention programs.

The New York State Department of Health believes that the early years of a child’s life are very important. Some children and families face special challenges and need extra help. Early help does make a difference. The Early Intervention Program is a statewide program that provides many different types of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. In Rockland County the Early Intervention program is regulated by the Rockland County Department of Health.