EARLY INTERVENTION, NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS, PART C, IFSPECSE 672

Seminar #1

September 2, 2014

Intro to Early Intervention• Family-centered and relationship-based practices• Natural environments• Children’s learning• Adult learning• Quality team practices

Family-Centered Practices• “…beliefs and practices that treat families with dignity and

respect..” (Dunst, Trivette, & Hamby, 2008)

• Family systems theory• Identify needs, locate resources and supports, link families with

those resources

• Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory –• children are part a family and those who make up a network of

formal and informal supports.

Family-Centered Practices

Positive proactive helping:• Empowerment• Respect• Kindness• Hopefulness• Compassion• Responsibility• Interdependence

“…enhancing the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with disabilities…” (Title 20, U.S.C. §1431[a][4], 2004)

Children’s Learning• Understand typical infant and toddler development

• Repetition of meaningful activities with trusted caregivers

• Opportunities for practice

• Motivation, engagement, practice

• Playing, manipulating, vocalizing, moving, experimenting

Six Principles of Adult Learning:

1. Voluntary participation

2. Reciprocal respect

3. Collaborative exchange

4. Praxis

5. Critical reflection

6. Self-direction

Brookfield (1986)

Adult Learning

What is your learning style?

• Auditory• Visual• Kinesthetic

Approaches to adult learning:

• Modeling• Mentoring• Consultation• Coaching

Quality Team Practices

A team must must integrate and function collaboratively to optimally support families of children with disabilities within the system framework of EI and within the natural environments of the family.

Quality Team Practices• Multidisciplinary team• Interdisciplinary team• Transdisciplinary team

Which team model do you prefer?

Which do you think works best for EI? For families? For children?

Natural Environments

Natural - Typical, expected, or accepted by an individual

Environment – conditions, things, and circumstances that surround something living and help it grow.

Natural environment – setting that is natural or typical for a same aged infant or toddler without a disability, and may include the home or community settings (§ 303.26, 1986)

Natural Environments• Natural learning environments capitalize on using the

materials, activities, routines, interactions, and locations in the family’s repertoire.

• Routines, such as………..• Discuss readings

Seven Key Principles of Providing Early Intervention

See Hand-outs

PART C OF IDEA

Overview to the Part C Program Under IDEA

• Congress established this program in 1986 in recognition of "an urgent and substantial need" to:• enhance the development of infants and toddlers with

disabilities;• reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for

special education through early intervention;• minimize the likelihood of institutionalization and

maximize independent living; and,• enhance the capacity of families to meet their child's

needs.• http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA)

• A federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for • infants and toddlers with disabilities• ages birth through age 2 years• and their families.

• http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA)

• In order for a state to participate in the program it must assure that early intervention will be available to every eligible child and its family.

• http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA)

• State governors must designate a lead agency to receive the grant and administer the program

• Appoint an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), including parents of young children with disabilities, to advise and assist the lead agency.

• Currently, all states and eligible territories are participating in the Part C program.

• http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA)

• The Lead Agency in Virginia is: The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

• http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

Determining Eligibility for Services in EI

• Diagnosed condition with a high probability of development delay and/or

• 25% or greater developmental delay in one or more developmental areas and/or

• Atypical development

Eligibility for EI Services

• Additions to list of diagnosed conditions• 28 weeks or less gestational age• 28 days or more in the NICU• PVL

Part C• VCU's Early Intervention Professional Development Center

Additional Resources• Campbell, S. , Palisano, R., & Orlin, M. (2012). Physical therapy for children (4th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

• Creger, P. (1995). Developmental interventions for preterm and high-risk infants: Self study modules for professionals. Tucson, Arizona: Therapy Skill Builders.

• Vergara, E. & Bigsby, R. (2004). Developmental &therapeutic interventions in the NICU. Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks.