Early intervention near me – the search for services for your child
Whenever a parent of a child 0-3 years old has a concern about their child’s development, they are very frequently referred to early intervention. Even though early intervention could be a good fit, what happens if it isn’t? Not every family is able to get what they need from the early intervention (EI) system. Every family and child has different needs.
When someone has a concern for a child’s development, it is very common that the child’s family is only provided with their local EI agency’s contact information. And when a child is getting EI services, it is often assumed that they are getting everything they need. As clinicians, we really should be presenting our families with all the options when it comes to services, teaching them the different benefits of different types of services, as well as the cons. Then we should let the family explore their options and make the decision regarding what is best for them.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t get your child evaluated through EI. I’m just saying that anyone considering early intervention should also be exploring options outside of early intervention as well. Here are the main reasons why I think it is important to explore options outside of early intervention and find other providers in your area as well…
Initiate services quicker – It can take several weeks, even months, to initiate services with early intervention. Even if they can evaluate your child right away, they can’t always start services right away. Many private practices and hospital based systems will actually prioritize infants and toddlers and get them in right away.
Pick your therapist – You cannot pick your therapist in early intervention. But in the private practice setting, you can. Just make sure that before your initial evaluation, you request that your evaluating provider can also be your treating provider.
Receive a higher frequency when necessary – Early intervention is not always able to provide families with the frequency that is necessary for the child and family. For example, a child may need weekly physical therapy services, but the EI PT that the family is paired with might only be able to go to the family’s home once every other week. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see your EI provider, but supplemental services would be necessary in this case. At Raheb PT, for example, many of our patients are receiving services from us as well as early intervention. We work closely with EI providers to provide collaborative care all the time. So between the two types of services, the child and family are able to get what they need.
Don’t need to qualify based on a measure a large system uses – In order to get early intervention services, children complete developmental assessments. How they score dictates what they are eligible for. A child might need a service, but not qualify for EI services. Not all EI groups are able to provide referrals when this happens. So it is good to get evaluated by a therapist outside of early intervention regardless.
Work with the provider who specializes in the area of need – If a child qualifies for physical therapy in early intervention, they don’t always get the chance to work with a physical therapist. This is the same for speech and occupational therapy. This is another reason why it is good to seek an evaluation and guidance outside of early intervention.
Have a backup plan – There are many instances when a family can get what they need through early intervention. However, that does not always happen. Even if you are paired with a good clinician, they might not be able to see you as often as you need. If you are able to get the frequency you need, the therapist you are paired with might not be the right fit for you. So if you plan to explore EI services, make sure you have a back up plan. Take the time to call other providers in your area. Ask them about their experience, their model of care, and what their availability is. Even if you don’t book an evaluation with them, it’s good to have their info in your back pocket.
Are you in the process of looking for services and trying to figure out what your options are? Book a Free Discovery Call. We would LOVE to help guide you!