Topic: Early Intervention Process
A Parent’s Guide to the Early Intervention Program
Guide Booklet (provided in Multiple Languages)
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0532/
A comprehensive guide to the Early Intervention Program including topics on the initial service coordinator, child’s evaluation, family assessment, individualized family service plan, natural environments, ongoing service coordinator, health insurance information, rights as a parent, and many others.
Topic: Siblings
Caring for Siblings of Kids with Special Needs
Tip Sheet (English and Spanish)
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/siblings-special-needs.html
A web page dedicated to how to be open and honest with siblings of kids with special needs to help ease worries, clear up any confusion and give siblings a chance to help out. There are different ways to approach the topic based on the ages and stages of development of the sibling.
What Siblings Would Like Parents and Service Providers to Know
Tip Sheet (English and Spanish)
https://www.siblingsupport.org/documents-for-site/WhatSiblingsWouldLikeParentsandServiceProviderstoKnow.pdf
Despite the important and life-long roles they will play in the lives of their siblings who have special needs, even the most family-friendly agencies often overlook brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters, often left in the literal and figurative waiting rooms of service delivery systems, deserve better. True “family-centered” care and services will arrive when siblings are actively included in agencies’ functional definition of “family.” This PDF provides a discussion of themes discussed by SibNet members and recommendations from the Sibling Support Project.
Topic: Embedded Learning Activities
Encouraging Child Learning in Everyday Activities
Tip Sheet
http://ectacenter.org/~pdfs/decrp/PGF_INS3_encouraging_2018.pdf
Intentionally including, or “embedding,” learning opportunities in everyday activities at home or in your community is one way you
can help your child learn new things. Embedding learning opportunities in everyday activities involves identifying what you want
your child to learn, selecting the everyday activities that provide opportunities to learn things, and using brief “teaching” sessions
with your child to help him or her become a more capable participant in his or her daily life.
Topic: Everyday Activities
Everyday Ways to Support Your Baby’s and Toddler’s Learning
Article and Fact Sheet
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/265-everyday-ways-to-support-your-baby-s-and-toddler-s-early-learning
This chart gives you some ideas of the many ways you can support your child’s early learning through your everyday activities. Download this handout (in both English and Spanish) to learn more about how you can support your child’s development from birth to three in the everyday moments you share.
A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains
Article and Fact Sheet
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/guide/a-guide-to-serve-and-return-how-your-interaction-with-children-can-build-brains/
This resource provides information on how an infant or young child’s interaction with adults shapes their brain architecture. Includes video demonstrations and tips.
Topic: Natural Environments Overview
Natural Environments Support Early Intervention Services
Fact Sheet
https://www.pacer.org/ec/early-intervention/natural-environments.asp
This fact sheet discusses why natural environments are important, the law that supports natural environments and the role parents and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team play.
Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments
Fact Sheet
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/naturalenvironments/
Early intervention services are to be provided in natural environments to the maximum extent appropriate for the child and for the EI service itself. So–what’s considered a “natural environment”? What isn’t? This webpage focuses upon answering these questions and on connecting you with resources of additional information and best practice.
Topic: Evidence-Based Practices
Natural Environments/Routines
Fact Sheet
http://www.eiexcellence.org/evidence-based-practices/natural-environments/
Early Intervention must be based on validated practices and the best available research. This website provides resources and links for what early intervention research says about natural environments and routines-based interactions.
Topic: Parent Support
Parent to Parent of New York State
Parent Organization
parenttoparentnys.org/
Parent to Parent of New York State builds a supportive network of families to reduce isolation and empower those who care for people with developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs to navigate and influence service systems and make informed decisions.
