Early Intervention Evaluations and Service Coordination at About Play
Early intervention provides an array of support-based services to children with developmental delays and disabilities. The goal is to help them grow and learn to the best of their ability and equip their families with the tools and resources to help them do so.
The process can be overwhelming when you begin early intervention for your child. That’s why the team at About Play offers an array of coordination services to help you every step of the way. From early intervention interviews to support groups to therapy services, we’re here to help your child thrive.
Early Intervention Interviews
If you suspect your child might have a developmental delay, it is best to contact BabyNet as soon as possible. From there, a developmental screening will be scheduled with the child’s parents or caregivers. Depending on the results of the screening, a Child Assessment will be completed to determine eligibility for the BabyNet program.
Once eligible, your child will be assigned an Early Interventionist or EI. The EI will complete a Family Assessment in order to then develop your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). This Family Assessment is a semi-structured clinical interview designed to help families decide on their child’s outcomes and goals so an individualized plan can be developed. The interview will be a discussion of the child’s day-to-day living and provide an accurate description of child and family functioning, so areas of improvement and priorities can be established. It will also help to establish a positive relationship between the family and the early interventionist.
During the assessment, the EI will pay close attention and note where they see opportunities for the child in five key areas:
- Social engagement - The ability to interact with others
- Adaptive skills - The ability to perform self-care
- Communication skills - The ability to understand spoken language and express themselves
- Motor skills - The ability to demonstrate gross motor movement and fine motor skills
- Cognitive skills - The ability to think rationally and problem solve
Please Note: The team at About Play is here to help coordinate services for you and your family. While we do not provide these services in-house, our experts will work to match you with licensed professionals who specialize in the areas where your child needs support.
Service Coordination at About Play
After establishing that your child will benefit from early intervention services, our team will work with you to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The plan will encompass the early intervention services such as Family Training and therapies that will best help your child reach their goals and desired outcomes. It will outline how each service will be delivered and funded. The service plan is a map that guides you through your child’s early intervention journey.
In addition to therapy services (occupational, physical, speech, etc.), your child’s IFSP will include additional resources and services. This could include support groups, hearing services, vision services, nursing services, nutrition services, and more. It is important for parents to understand that services must be included on your child’s IFSP in order for any funding to be provided by BabyNet.
Support Groups
Support groups are one of the best resources for your child and family to gain support and cope with difficult situations. The learning and growth process of EI can be full of highs and lows, so sharing your feelings with those going through similar experiences can be extremely helpful. You can get new ideas, share your experiences, and find new ways to help your child succeed.
One of the most popular support groups that we refer families to in South Carolina is Family Connections. They offer a variety of ways to assist parents and families navigating systems that provide healthcare, early intervention, special education, general education, and postsecondary options for their children.
Hearing Services
Hearing impacts speech, language, learning, and social skills. If your child struggles to hear, adaptive equipment and technology may be available. BabyNet offers specialized intervention through South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind (SCSDB) for children with diagnosed, significant hearing impairment. Some available hearing services may include:
- Fitting for hearing devices (hearing aids, Cochlear implant)
- Assistive devices (personal FM amplifier, closed captions, telecommunications relay services)
- Sign language
- Cued speech
Vision Services
When a child is unable to gather information through their sense of sight, they need to collect information in other ways. The sooner a child receives vision services, the sooner their growth, development, and learning can be encouraged. Again, BabyNet offers specialized intervention services for children with significant vision impairments through SCSDB. Some of the vision services available may include:
- Fitting for glasses
- Magnifiers
- Computer technology
- Canes
- Braille
Nursing Services
If your child has a developmental delay or disability that requires skillful treatments, nursing services can help for those that qualify through certain Medicaid waivers. If approved for nursing services, a professional will meet with you and your child to help teach you how to manage those responsibilities and provide your child with the best possible care. Some of the other duties nurses can assist with may include:
- Medication administration
- Tube feeding
- Bandage cleaning
Nutrition Services
Nutrition services are an early intervention service available to help underweight children or children who need to adhere to special diets. Sometimes this involves referring your child to a nutritionist. For those children who qualify and have the required funding for the service, a nutritionist can assist with the following:
- Dietary intake
- Feeding skills
- Food habits
- Food preferences
About Play is Here to Support You Child and Family
Do you think your child would benefit from early intervention services? We’re here for you! The About Play team has a number of exceptional instructors on staff and resources in the community to support your family in the ways that are most beneficial for you. Contact us today to learn more.
Our Services
Contact Us for Service
Types of Early Intervention Services
We provide the following types of Early Intervention Services:
Special Instruction/Family Training
Example: teaching developmental skills such as sign language or teaching how to hold a child to support feedings. Learn more about Special Instruction for Families >>
Service Coordination (case management)
Example: developing a plan (IFSP) to pull services together for the family. Learn more about Service Coordination services >>
Early Intervention Evaluations
Example: checking for behavior problems, or specific therapies. Learn more about Early Intervention Evaluation services >>
Speech Services
Example: finding out why a child does not talk. Learn more about Speech Therapy services >>
Infant Massage
Example: Reduce stress for both the parent and child through infant massage. Learn more about Infant Massage >>
Physical Therapy
Example: working to improve a child’s movement to explore their environment independently. Learn more about Physical Therapy Services >>
Occupational Therapy
Example: teaching a child to use a spoon. Learn more about Occupational Therapy >>
Support Groups
Example: helping find support through community resources such as Family Connections.
Hearing Services
Example: fitting a hearing device. Learn more about Hearing Services >>
Vision Services
Example: prescribing glasses. Learn more about Vision Services >>
Nursing Services
Example: tube feeding or bandage changing. Learn more about Nursing Services >>
Nutrition Services
Example: special diets or referral to a nutritionist. Learn more about Nutrition Services >>