Early Intervention Program

Program Goal

The goal of the Early Intervention Program is to work in partnership with families to provide support and services individually designed to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers.

Who Can Participate?

Children between birth and age three who demonstrate a developmental delay, a disabling condition, or may be at risk for a delay in gross motor, fine motor, speech/language, psychosocial and/or cognitive development can benefit from the Early Intervention Program.

Services Provided

All children receive a comprehensive evaluation. A case manager then meets with the family to discuss the evaluation results and develop an individualized family service plan based on the family's priorities. Services vary according to need and may include individual therapy, group therapy and home visits. Introduction to various financial programs, help with interagency coordination and services to assist with transition to a school program for three- to five-year-olds are offered. Parent groups, interpreters for special communication needs and assistance with transportation, babysitting and equipment acquisition are also available.

The Early Intervention staff will work closely with all referral sources to ensure that services are provided in a timely and appropriate manner and are coordinated with the child’s primary care team in the community.

The Treatment Team

The interdisciplinary team is comprised of a physician who specializes in pediatric rehabilitation/habilitation, a nurse, a child development specialist, a social worker, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech/language pathologist, an audiologist, a parent support coordinator and a consulting psychologist. Seating and positioning, augmentative communication, rehabilitation engineering, nutrition consultation and orthotic and prosthetic services are also available as needed.

For More Information

Early Intervention services are provided at RIC's Flagship Hospital at 345 E. Superior Street. For further information, call 312-238-1133.

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