What Is Early Intervention?

Children grow and develop at their own rate. Although some children walk and talk early, others may be delayed in learning certain skills. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, the earlier you seek help, the better.

Early intervention is for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Early intervention is available in every state under federal law. In some states, early intervention programs may continue until a child is age 5. Early intervention targets

•cognitive skills (thinking, learning, problem-solving);

•communication skills (gesturing, talking, listening, understanding);

•physical and sensory skills (crawling, walking, climbing, seeing, hearing);

•social–emotional skills (playing, understanding feelings, making friends); and

•adaptive or self-help skills (eating, bathing, dressing).

Early intervention is different for each child and family depending on the child’s needs and the family’s priorities. The most important step is to start early.