Is your child is meeting developmental milestones? Unsure if early intervention is needed? Partners in PROMISE’s COO Jennifer Barnhill met with Jill Chimka of Easterseals to talk about what parents of young children can be on the lookout for children from birth to five years.
What Is Early Intervention?
The first five years of development lay the foundation for a child’s overall success. That is why it is essential to keep up with developmental milestones. This is easier said than done for military families, who move frequently and experience transition after transition. If you are not sure if your child is meeting milestones, but don’t think a worksheet filled out at your Military Treatment Facility is doing the trick. Discover one FREE online tool that can help.
Resources
Early intervention services, or Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, provide services and support to children (birth to age three) with a delay or disability. Early intervention services are designed to help families enhance their children’s development and better meet their needs.
Eligibility criteria for early intervention services can differ from state to state. The IDEA says children birth to age three may be eligible for early intervention services if they have:
- A diagnosed condition that is likely to result in a developmental delay
- A developmental delay in one or more of the following areas:
- Adaptive/self-help skills
- Social/emotional development
- Communication
- Physical development, including vision and hearing
- Cognitive development
Check out these Resources:
About Jill Chimka
Jill Chimka, Regional Director of Early Intervention Services. Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Texas Christian University, a Master of Education degree in communication disorders from the University of Virginia and a Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and has been with Easter Seals since 2002.
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