The NC Infant Toddler Program: Together We Grow

Policy information taken N.C. Infant-Toddler Program Manual

POLICY & Practice COMPLETED BY AT LEAST 2

DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES. Practice idea: Find out what may

concern the family most at this time-use those disciplines (e.g., early interventionist and PT). CSCs will need to find out family concerns PRIOR to evaluation. Combination of DEC-ECI and/or private providers will have to collaborate.

The North Carolina Early Intervention Program Services for children ages birth-to-three are

coordinated at the state level by the Office of Early Intervention, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services

Services are available for children who:– Have a developmental delay (20% or greater in

one or more developmental domain;– Have known biological risk factors;– Have three or more environmental risk factors;– Are exhibiting atypical behaviors.

POLICY & PRACTICE MULTIPLE TOOLS/PROCEDURES

MUST BE USED: “Authentic assessment entails observing, recording, and documenting what a child is doing and how he does it.” (NAEYC, 1991). Use observations, criterion-referenced measures (e.g., AEPS, HELP), and routine-based assessment in a child’s natural environments to determine developmental levels child’s unique strengths & needs. Families should help determine “natural environments.”

North Carolina Early Intervention Service for children 3-21 years are

coordinated by the State Department of Public Instruction;

Children must display a 30% delay in one or more developmental domains, and/or have a diagnosis of “developmental delay.”

POLICY & Practice MUST IDENTIFY CHILD’S PRESENT

LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT, UNIQUE STRENGTHS & NEEDS.

Practice Ideas: Child does not have to show a delay in order to qualify under “at risk” categories. Child observation and family interview help to determine potential role of early interventionists for at-risk children.

POLICY & Practice IDENTIFYING LEVEL OF

DEVELOPMENT, UNIQUE STRENGTHS & NEEDS, continued: Criterion referenced measures may be used to determine percentage of delay for DD category, give families more opportunity to participate, and give activity ideas.

AREAS TO BE ADDRESSED

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT (GROSS

& FINE MOTOR FUNCTIONING, VISION & HEARING)

COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADAPTIVE DEVELOPMENT

A Note About Developmental Domains

It is often very difficult to distinguish behaviors in each of the developmental domains, especially in prematurely born children below the age of six months. Observing and describing their sleep/awake patterns, sucking and cry quality, state regulation, and visual focus is a good way to begin the ongoing assessment process.

Must also include: “medical component which provides a

medical perspective of the child’s development, including a review of pertinent records related to the child’s health status and medical history.”

Practice idea: If Medicine is needed-use DEC medical personnel to address multiple domains along with another discipline.

POLICY & Practice

“can involve use of previously conducted evaluations, including medical, if the evaluation(s) was conducted within the past six months and is readily available & complete.”

Practice Idea: Establish a relationship with your NICU/SICC personnel!

Policy & Practice

All evaluation procedures must be administered in the native language or other mode of communication of the child and family. All procedures must be racially and culturally sensitive.

Practice ideas: Obtain Smart Start funding for cultural liaison. Conduct focus groups to review assessment procedures.

Other Requirements Parents must be given written prior notice

and written parental consent obtained prior to evaluations and assessments of the child;

Practice idea: Create a “family friendly” notice and consent form.

Final thoughts...

“The quality of any early intervention program is based on the quality of its relationships.” Zero-to-Three, 1999

A rose by any other name: assessment, evaluation, intervention, services, supports: Ongoing and linked!