1

2
3

8
9
10

Early Intervention
What is early intervention (EI)?
Comprehensive, coordinated, community based systems for developmentally vulnerable or delayed young children
from birth to 3 years of age and their families.
Mandated by an amendment to IDEA, Part C
Services required by law
Family centered
Individualized: IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan)
Coordinated with other services
Normalization: done in the natural environment
Goals
Enhance child development by:
Minimize potential developmental delays
Remediate existing problems
Prevent further deterioration
Teach families how to adapt
Who is at risk?
Typical infant is born full term if between 38-42 weeks with a birth weight of 5.5-9.5
Prematurity: less than 38 weeks
Post-maturity: greater than 43 weeks
Low birth weight: less than 5.5
Heavy birth weight: greater than 9.5
Who is at risk, cont.
Children born to mothers who used alcohol (FAS), other drugs, cigarettes prior to birth
Addiction to pain medication
rising issue
Minority infants
Worlds tiniest babies
Big babies!
APGAR Newborn Scale(0-2)
Activity (muscle tone)

11

12

13

14

15

Activity (muscle tone)

Pulse (heart rate)
Grimace (response to airway being cleared
Appearance (skin color)
Respiration (cry)
Premature babies and development
Neurosensory disabilities
Cognitive and language delays
Motor deficits
Behavioral and social problems
Perceptual problems
Learning disabilities
Prematurity
Medically fragile: heart, lungs, weakened immune system, etc.
Immature sensory systems: vision, hearing, response to touch, smell
Characteristic of NICU Environment
Unlike mothers womb
Mismatch of immature infant and high tech environment
Overstimulation of auditory, visual, tactile and olfactory systems
Invasive, painful procedures
Role of the EI Specialist
Advocate for the child and parents
Adapt environment to help child self-regulate immature nervous system, both in the NICU and at home through
appropriate interventions
Teach parents ways to avoid over-stimulation
Images
www.health.state.mn.us/.../newborn/newbaby.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9JXDLZX2AE0/RyZnhgVe1NI/AAAAAAAAAV4/VtSbDQrEJ14/mother+holding+baby.jpg
www.nova.edu/msi/images/infant_walking.jpg
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/15/premature-baby-california-third-smallest
www.marchofdimes.com/.../2006d038_0247copy.jpg
neonatology.uthscsa.edu/images/dr_attending_b...

www.marchofdimes.com/.../2006d038_0247copy.jpg
neonatology.uthscsa.edu/images/dr_attending_b...
http://www.mccroryfamily.net/gallery/d/1436-2/DSC00650.JPG