Does My Child Need Infant and Toddler Intervention

Infant and Toddler Intervention describes a set of services that supports a child’s learning and growth. It is sometimes called “early intervention” because the services are delivered early in life, before age three. Another name used for these services is “Part C,” because that is the how the federal law defines the services. These services help children with developmental delays and disabilities achieve the best outcomes later in life.
 
Children grow and develop rapidly across the four main areas of development in their first three years. These areas are motor (physical), communication and language, social and emotional, and cognitive. Professionals from the local school districts provide Infant and Toddler Intervention services during this critical time of development.
 
Infant and Toddler Intervention services support a child’s healthy growth. In many cases, this intervention changes a child’s developmental path. Some children reach the same developmental levels as others their age due to early intervention.
 
Your child may need Infant and Toddler Intervention services if he/she has a developmental delay or a diagnosed condition that may result in delay. If you have a concern about your child’s development, talk to your child’s healthcare provider and refer your child through Help Me Grow for a free screening or evaluation.
 
Some common reasons that parents, caregivers and professionals refer a child through Help Me Grow include:

• Concerns about a child’s developmental progress.
• Diagnosed physical or mental condition or disorder that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay – regardless of whether the child has a demonstrated need or delay.
• Delays in meeting developmental milestones.
• Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age.
• Prematurity/low birth weight , hearing or vision problems or failure to thrive.
• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter.
• No back and forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter.

 
Here is one family’s experience with early intervention: “My daughter was deprived of oxygen at birth, which was why she qualified for services. Ultimately, she used a minimal amount of services but as first time parents it was extremely reassuring to have someone else checking to ensure she was meeting her milestones.”  - Greater Minnesota Parent

These resources offer more about Infant and Toddler Intervention and how it can help a child:
 

• Minnesota Department of Education: education.state.mn.us.
• PACER Center: www.pacer.org.
• Learn the Signs. Act Early.: www.cdc.gov.

 
For more information about getting help for a child, visit our Get Help for a Child section.