Early intervention, explained without the jargon
How we got services in motion before his first birthday — and who to call first.
What Is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention (EI) is a federally mandated program under **Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)**. It provides developmental services to children from **birth through age 2** who have a developmental delay or a diagnosed condition that is likely to cause one.
The federal law sets the requirements; each state runs its own program under its own name. In Maryland it's the Infants and Toddlers Program. In Virginia it's the Infant & Toddler Connection. In New York it's simply the Early Intervention Program. In California, it's California Early Start. The name changes by state — the structure and your rights do not.
Services are provided **at no cost to families** for evaluation, and most EI services are provided free or at low cost depending on your state and insurance situation.
Who Qualifies?
A child may qualify for Early Intervention if they:
If your child has a confirmed diagnosis, they may qualify based on that diagnosis alone — without needing to demonstrate a measurable delay first. This is worth knowing, because some families are told they won't qualify before they ever apply. Apply anyway. Let the evaluation team make that determination.
How to Get Started
**Step 1: Request a referral or self-refer.** You do not need a doctor's referral to access Early Intervention services, though your pediatrician can also make a referral. You can contact your state or county's EI program directly. To find your local program, search *"Early Intervention [your state]"* or visit the ECTA Center's directory at **ectacenter.org**.
**Step 2: A free evaluation is conducted.** Once referred, a multidisciplinary team — which may include a speech-language pathologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and developmental specialist — will evaluate your child across all five developmental areas. You must provide written consent before any evaluation begins. The evaluation is free regardless of whether your child ultimately qualifies.
**Step 3: Eligibility is determined.** Federal law requires that the evaluation and eligibility determination happen within **45 days** of the initial referral. If your child qualifies, the team moves directly into service planning.
**Step 4: An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed.** The IFSP is the EI equivalent of a school-age IEP. It outlines your child's current developmental levels, the outcomes you're working toward, and the specific services that will be provided — including how often, where, and by whom. You are an active member of this team. The plan belongs to your family as much as it belongs to any professional in the room.
What Services Are Available?
Depending on your child's needs, Early Intervention services may include:
Services are typically provided **in the home or in natural environments** — wherever the child spends time. This is intentional. The law requires that EI services happen in settings that reflect where children naturally learn and grow.
One Thing to Know About County-Provided Services
Early Intervention services through your county are a starting point — but they are not the only option, and they are not always sufficient on their own.
County-provided services vary widely in quality, frequency, and scope. A county EI specialist may visit once or twice a month. Eligibility for specific therapies (like speech or occupational therapy) can be harder to establish than you might expect, and some families find that their child is denied services they clearly need.
**Private therapy through a pediatric rehabilitation facility is also an option**, and for many children, it is a better one — especially for PT, OT, and speech. Pediatric rehab centers are equipped with specialized tools, equipment, and environments designed specifically for children. Sessions tend to be more frequent, more intensive, and more targeted than what county programs typically provide.
If your child has Medicaid or private insurance, these services may be covered. You do not have to choose one or the other — some families use county services *and* supplement with private therapy. The key is knowing the option exists.
What Happens at Age 3: The Transition to Preschool Services
Early Intervention ends when your child turns 3. This is one of the more jarring transitions in the special needs parenting journey — a team you've built relationships with, a plan that's been working, and then: a hard stop.
Federal law requires that your EI team begin **transition planning at least 90 days before your child's third birthday**. This is not optional, and it is not something you need to initiate yourself. At the transition meeting, the team will help connect your family with next steps.
For most children, the next step is **preschool special education services** under **Part B of IDEA**, administered through your local school district. This is where **Child Find** comes in.
What Is Child Find?
Child Find is a federally mandated program that requires every state to identify, locate, and evaluate children from **birth through age 21** who may have a disability and need special education services. It is part of the public school system and is available **at no cost to families**.
Starting at age 3, your local school district is responsible for Child Find. If your child is transitioning out of Early Intervention, your EI team will typically coordinate the referral. But you can also contact your school district's special education office directly to request a Child Find evaluation — you do not need to wait for a referral from anyone.
**What Child Find can lead to:** Once evaluated, children who qualify receive an **Individualized Education Program (IEP)**, which outlines the special education services the school district will provide. For children ages 3–5, this often takes the form of a **special education preschool program** housed in a local elementary school or early childhood center. These programs may include PT, OT, and speech services built into the school day.
**To request a Child Find evaluation**, contact your local school district's special education office. Ask specifically to speak with the Child Find coordinator. You can make this request in writing (which creates a paper trail and starts the clock on their response timeline).
A Note on Advocating for Your Child
The systems described in this article exist because federal law requires them. But systems do not always operate the way the law intends, and the people within them — however well-meaning — do not always have complete information.
You may be told your child doesn't qualify. Apply anyway. You may be told a service isn't available. Ask in writing why. You may be told to wait and see. You are allowed to say no to that.
Early intervention is called *early* for a reason. The research is clear: the earlier children with developmental delays receive targeted support, the better the outcomes — in language, cognition, motor skills, and social development. Time matters. Push for it.
Where to Start: Quick Reference
| Your child's age | Program | Who to contact | | :-- | :-- | :-- | | Birth – 2 years | Early Intervention (IDEA Part C) | Your state/county EI program or your pediatrician | | 3 – 5 years | Preschool Special Education (IDEA Part B) | Your local school district's special education or Child Find office | | 5 – 21 years | Special Education (IDEA Part B) | Your local school district |
**Find your state's Early Intervention program:** ectacenter.org/partc/states.asp
**Find your local Child Find coordinator:** Contact your school district's special education department directly.