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Parenting and child development

Early intervention

Services under IDEA Part C for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or disability, and for their families.

What It Means

Early intervention is the set of services and supports for babies and toddlersToddlerA child from 1 to 3 years old, the stage CDC's parenting guidance places between infancy and the preschool years. See more, from birth up to their third birthday, who have a developmental delay or disability, along with support for their families. In the United States it runs under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and every state has its own program with its own eligibility rules. Services can include home visits, family training, special instruction, and therapies such as speech or physical therapy, set out in a written Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Try It: Count the 45 Days After a Referral

Slide to the number of days since the early intervention program received your child's referral. The 45 days come from 34 CFR 303.310.

Days gone10
Days left of 4535

By day 45: any screening your state uses, the evaluation, the assessments of your child and family, and the first IFSP meeting.

How Parents Say It

  • "The pediatrician said to call early intervention."
  • "EI comes to our house every Tuesday."
  • "We have our IFSP meeting next week."

The Breakdown

From first worry to a plan

StageWhat happensSource
You notice somethingTalk with your child's doctor, or call your state's program yourself. No doctor's referral or diagnosis is needed.CDC
The referral is receivedThe 45-day clock starts on the day the program or provider receives it34 CFR 303.310
Within 45 daysAny screening your state uses (with your consent), the initial evaluation, assessments of your child and family, and the first IFSP meeting34 CFR 303.310
The IFSPA written plan built by a team that includes you: your child's current development, your family's strengths and needs, the services, and a plan for the move out of Part CCDC
Age 3Early intervention ends; preschool special education comes through the public schoolPublic schoolA school run by publicly elected or appointed officials and paid for mainly with public money, including district, charter and magnet schools. See more systemCDC

When the 45 days can stretch. Only in two cases: your child or you are unavailable because of exceptional family circumstances written into the early intervention record, or you haven't given consent even though the program documented repeated attempts to get it. Then the program must finish as soon as possible once the reason ends, and put an interim IFSP in place where it makes sense.

When to call. CDC's message is to act early. If your child is missing milestonesDevelopmental milestonesSkills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it. See more for their age, has lost a skill, or something worries you, call your state's program and ask for a free evaluation. For a child who is already 3 or older, call any local public elementary school, even one your child doesn't attend, and ask for an evaluation for preschool special education.

Good to Know

CDC keeps a contact list for every state and territory's early intervention program on its Learn the Signs. Act Early. site. For children who qualify, services are free or offered at reduced cost, and each state decides who qualifies. Write down the date you made the referral, since the federal timeline in 34 CFR 303.310 counts from the day the program receives it.

FAQ

Do I need a doctor's referral for early intervention?

No. CDC says a parent can contact the state early intervention program directly and ask for an evaluation, without a referral or a diagnosis.

How long does early intervention take to start?

Under 34 CFR 303.310, the evaluation, assessments and first IFSP meeting must be done within 45 days of the program receiving the referral. The only exceptions are documented exceptional family circumstances or consent not given despite documented repeated attempts.

What happens when my child turns 3?

Part C services end at the third birthday. CDC says to contact your local public elementary school about an evaluation for preschool special education, which the school system handles.

Do It in Buhata

Calendar and Reminders

Put the date the program received your referral on the Calendar in Buhata and set a Reminder for day 45 so you know when the first IFSP meeting is due.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Developmental milestones

    Skills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it.

  • Speech delay

    When a child's talking develops more slowly than most children the same age, in making speech sounds, in using words, or both.

  • Speech therapy

    Treatment from a speech-language pathologist to help a child with speech sounds, understanding and using language, social communication or swallowing.

  • Occupational therapy

    Therapy that helps a child do the everyday activities of childhood, such as playing, learning, eating, dressing and sleeping, by building skills or adapting the task.

  • Autism spectrum

    Autism spectrum disorder: a developmental disability affecting social communication and interaction, with restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.

Parenting and child development

Sources

U.S. Department of Education, IDEA regulations, 34 CFR 303.310 (Post-referral timeline, 45 days); eCFR, 34 CFR 303.310; CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early., "Early Intervention"; CDC, "Early Intervention Contact Information"; CDC, "Concerned About Your Child's Development?"; CDC, "Early Intervention: Questions to Ask" (hearing loss program)

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