WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION (EI)?

Early Intervention in Pennsylvania consists of services and supports designed to help families with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities. Early Intervention program provides coaching support and services to families with children, from birth to age 5, with developmental delays and disabilities.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR EI SERVICES?

A child who shows a 25% delay in at least one area of development is eligible for early intervention services. A child may also be eligible if he or she has a diagnosed disability that is known to cause a delay in development. Eligibility is determined and discussed with your family at the evaluation session.

WHO SHOULD I CALL TO HAVE MY CHILD EVALUATED FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS?

Contact your local early intervention service coordination program. Below is the contact information for the service coordination programs in Philadelphia.  

For children ages birth-3, Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program intake line at 215-685-4646 or email Birthto3EI@phila.gov.

For children ages 3-5, contact Elywn SEEDS (215) 222 -8054.

WHAT IS AN IEP/IFSP?

A plan is developed for each child who iseligible for Early Intervention services.The parent or caregiver, the early education provider (at the parent’s request) and other team members develop a written plan, the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)/Individualized Education Program (IEP), detailing the Early Intervention services and supports that the child and family receive.

WHERE ARE SERVICES DELIVERED?

Services must be delivered in settings that areconsistent with the needs of the child and family.Considerations must be made to reflect the child’s best place for learning. This may include services within the early education or other community settings. Whatever the setting, theIFSP/IEP must be based upon the strengths and needs of the child.

CAN I CHOOSE MY OWN THERAPIST AND AGENCY?

Yes. Inform the service coordinator know that you have a therapist or teacher you would like to work with your child.

WHAT IS ABA?

Applied behavior analysis is a type of interpersonal therapy in which a child works with a practitioner one-on-one. The goal of applied behavior analysis is to improve social skills by using interventions that are based on principles of learning theory.

WHAT IS PROJECT IMPACT?

Project ImPACT (Improving Parents As Communication Teachers) is a parent-mediated intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related social communication delays. Through a parent-mediated approach, Project ImPACT teaches parents skills to be used with their child. For more information on Project ImPACT, watch the video below or go to https://www.project-impact.org/.