What are Early Intervention Services?

Therapists work with children and their families to help them reach important developmental milestones. Children may receive Developmental Therapy/Special Instruction, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and/or Speech Therapy. Depending on the age of your child, the child will either receive services in their home or natural environment (birth to age three) or at a center, like the DDS-Alley Learning Center (ages three to five).

Physical Therapy

Children move and explore their environments. When an infant is unable to move or is delayed in movement skills or exploration abilities, the DDS pediatric physical therapist is there to help. Through the use of activities designed specifically for the infant, the physical therapist can help enhance movement patterns. The family is instructed how to carry, position and play with their child to incorporate the special activities. The physical therapist also educates the family in gross motor development and what to expect at each developmental stage. A child who displays delayed gross motor skills will be fully evaluated and then have a program designed to meet the child's and family's needs.

As is designated in a child’s EIP, Children will continue to receive physical therapy services while attending the DDS- Alley Learning Center Preschool.

Occupational Therapy

Infants born prematurely or with a specific disability such as spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy or mental retardation often have trouble learning or doing every day activities. Therapists will visit children in their home setting from birth to age two. At age three, children will begin to receive center-based services like those offered at the DDS-Alley Learning Center Preschool.

Occupational therapy focuses on helping youngsters learn how to use their hands for specific tasks. The tasks that must sometimes be learned with the therapist's help include reaching for and playing with toys, bringing food to their mouths or putting on a shirt. Sometimes, an infant or child needs assistance learning how to suck, accepting lumps in foods, accepting a caretaker's touch or learning that moving is fun and not frightening.

Speech Therapy

DDS provides speech-language therapy services to children with learning delays or physical disabilities. The speech-language pathologist evaluates each child's auditory comprehension, expressive communication and speech-sound production. Speech therapy prepares children to talk by increasing their eye contact, attention skills and imitation abilities. While receiving speech therapy, children begin to develop the ability to communicate with others.

Many children work to increase their understanding of spoken information while others improve their production of speech sounds and learn to use language in social situations. Children with muscular problems, such as Cerebral Palsy or Down Syndrome, may be provided with an augmentative and alternative communication assessment. Simply stated, this involves the use of procedures such as sign language, picture boards and electronic devices. At DDS, a total communication approach is advocated