If a child has been identified as needing early intervention services, parents may have questions about what that means for their child and for the family. This guide will help them understand the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and how it will help their child's development. The IFSP is a document that is used when providing early…

The primary purpose of this guide is to provide families with an overview of the Washington State Department of Early Learning, Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. It provides general and important information about the statewide ESIT program, including a listing of parents' rights under the Individuals with Disabilities…

Parents of young children who are in early intervention (EI) or early childhood special education (ECSE) programs want to be sure these services are helping their children develop and learn. These services are designed to make the most of each child's potential as well as to strengthen the family's ability to help their child. This report asks how…

"Spina bifida" is one of the most common birth defects in the United States, affecting some 1,500 babies each year. Spina bifida happens during the first month or so of pregnancy and means that the baby's spine did not close completely. Damage to the nerves and the spinal cord may result. Following a brief story about a child with a…

This resource conveys policies, procedures, and guidelines that support the delivery of special education services in British Columbia's (Canada) public schools. It was originally published in 1995 (ED414703), following an extensive provincial Special Education Review (1993-94). The purpose of this manual is to provide a single point of reference…

This booklet introduces parents to "Tennessee's Early Intervention System" (TEIS). This system is funded through the Tennessee Department of Education. Through TEIS parents can get answers about their baby's growth and development and find the special services their child may need. Parents can also use this system to determine which…

Details five steps (diagnosis, choosing a path, making sense of the information, what to look for and what to avoid, and finding a match) to help parents decide how to help their child diagnosed with autism become self reliant. Reviews four home- and school-based educational intervention programs. (DLH)

This booklet for parents of young children with disabilities describes Colorado's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. It provides information on IFSP guidelines, relates family stories and reflections for families and providers, and describes the values that drive the IFSP process in Colorado. Information is provided on…

This guide was developed to assist families and service providers in Connecticut with the development of Individualized Family Service Plans for infants and young children with hearing impairments under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It provides general information about hearing loss and deafness, intervention…

This booklet for Spanish-speaking parents of young children with disabilities describes Colorado's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. It explains guidelines, shares family stories and reflections for families and care providers, and the describes the values that drive the IFSP process in Colorado. Information is provided on…

This guide for parents provides information on the early intervention program in New York for infants and toddlers with disabilities. It includes information on: (1) eligibility requirements for early intervention services; (2) symptoms that may indicate infants or toddlers have a disability; (3) the importance of parent participation in seeking…

Many social processes are needed before a child is ready to speak, but many educational and therapeutic approaches to preverbal children do not address the social skills that are prerequisite to effective communication. This curriculum manual contains activities for educating parents and professional to help children develop the social skills…

This booklet was designed to inform, guide and support parents of children with special needs during their child's transition from an early intervention program (birth through age 2) into a preschool early educational setting. The first part of the booklet focuses on how the transition process works, including a description of the people who might…

Though developed specifically for Minnesota parents, parents in other states will also receive helpful information from this booklet on early intervention programs for children with disabilities. Topics covered include: (1) qualifications for admission to early intervention services; (2) legal rights of children with disabilities; (3) the…

This digest summarizes the rights and responsibilities of parents of children in the special education process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997. Among 15 rights listed are a free appropriate public education for every child, informed consent concerning evaluation and programmatic decisions, evaluation…