How Early Intervention Works
Understanding the process from referral to transition.
If you have concerns about your child's development, you're not alone. The Early Intervention (EI) Program supports eligible children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Learn what to expect from referral through transition.
It Starts with a Concern.
Every child develops at their own pace. A referral may begin when a parent, caregiver, doctor, daycare provider, or another professional has a concern about a child's development. Families are encouraged to ask questions and be active participants throughout the process.
Getting Started
Referral
A referral is the first step when there is a concern about a child's development. A parent, healthcare provider, childcare provider, or another professional can make a referral to the Early Intervention Program.
Refer a Child →Your Guide
Initial Service Coordinator
An Initial Service Coordinator helps you understand the Early Intervention Program, explains your family rights, answers questions, and guides you through the evaluation process.
Understanding Your Child's Strengths and Needs
Evaluation
A multidisciplinary evaluation looks at your child's strengths and developmental needs to determine eligibility and identify the supports that may be beneficial.
Creating a Plan
IFSP Meeting
If your child is eligible, you'll meet with the Early Intervention team to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Together, you'll identify goals and decide which services best support your child's development.
Learning Through Everyday Routines
Services & Progress
Services begin after the IFSP is approved. Your child's team works with you to support development through everyday routines while reviewing progress and updating the plan as your child's needs change.
Preparing for What's Next
Transition
As your child approaches age three, the Early Intervention team helps your family prepare for the next step — whether that's preschool special education services or other community programs.
Understanding Your Child's Development
During the evaluation, professionals look at your child's overall development in five key areas:
Cognitive Development
Learning, thinking, and problem-solving.
Communication
Understanding language and expressing wants, needs, and ideas.
Physical Development
Gross motor, fine motor, vision, hearing, and overall physical skills.
Social-Emotional Development
Interacting with others, playing, and managing emotions.
Adaptive Development
Daily living skills such as eating, dressing, and self-care.
Looking at all areas of development helps the team understand your child's unique strengths and needs — not just a single concern.
Your Role Matters
You are the most important member of your child's Early Intervention team. You know your child best, and your observations, concerns, priorities, and everyday experiences help shape the evaluation, the IFSP, and, if your child is eligible, the services they receive.
Throughout the process, you can:
Frequently Asked Questions
Families often have questions and concerns before taking the first step toward Early Intervention. Over the years, parents have shared many of these same worries with us. We’ve gathered the questions we hear most often to provide clear answers and reassure families that Early Intervention is about supporting your child and family—not judging, labeling, or defining a child’s future.
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Children develop at different rates, but delays in communication, play, movement, learning, social interaction, or daily living skills may be signs that additional support may be helpful. If you have concerns about any area of your child's development, consider discussing them with your pediatrician or requesting an Early Intervention referral. Early support can make a meaningful difference in a child's development.
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No. The evaluation is focused on understanding your child's development—not evaluating your parenting or your home. Evaluators understand that every family is different. Their goal is to learn about your child's everyday skills and identify ways to support your family, not to criticize routines, your home, or your parenting style.
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No. Receiving Early Intervention services does not define your child or determine their future. Children grow and develop at different rates, and many make significant progress with the right support. The purpose of Early Intervention is to identify your child's strengths and needs and provide services that help them reach their developmental potential.
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That's completely okay. Young children don't perform the same way every day. Evaluators understand this and consider many sources of information, including your observations, your child's developmental history, play-based interactions, and standardized assessment results. The evaluation is designed to provide a complete picture of your child's development—not judge them based on one moment.
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Hearing more than one language does not cause a developmental delay. Children are capable of learning more than one language at the same time. During the evaluation process, information is gathered about all languages used by the child and family to ensure that communication skills are evaluated appropriately and fairly.
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Yes. Information about your child and family is kept confidential and handled with care throughout the Early Intervention process. It is used only to support your child's evaluation and services and is shared only when necessary, with your knowledge and permission.
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No. Early Intervention is designed to support your child's development now. Participating in Early Intervention does not determine your child's future educational services or preschool placement. As your child approaches age 3, your Early Intervention team will help you understand your options and plan for the transition.
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As your child approaches age 3, your Early Intervention team will work with you to plan for the next steps. Some children may be referred for a preschool special education evaluation, while others transition to community programs or no longer need services. Transition planning begins several months before your child's third birthday to help your family prepare.
Still Have Questions?
Every child and every family is unique. If you're unsure whether Early Intervention is right for your child or have questions about the process, we're here to help. Our team is happy to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.