Early Intervention Providers you may meet:

PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY BE INVOLVED IN THE EVALUATION:

ECSE TEACHER: The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher is often the initial contact from the school district and may coordinate the evaluation. She will look at the overall development and specifically at the cognitive and social & emotional development of your child. She will assess how your child interacts with and explores the environment through the senses of vision, hearing, touching and moving. The teacher will want to know how your child plays with toys and with people, responds to different objects and people, and learns new things.

The OT and PT often assess similar things in very young children.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST: The OT will look specifically at your child's positions and movements and how your child uses their body, head, arms and legs. The OT may also evaluate oral motor and early feeding concerns (bottle or breast-feeding) plus play and daily tasks such as dressing and other routines. An OT may evaluate your child’s responses to sensations: touch, movement, sound and visual stimulation.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: The PT will look specifically at your child's positions and movements and how your child uses their body, head, arms and legs. The PT will evaluate your child's ability to maintain and balance in various positions plus your child’s ability to change between positions. The PT may investigate the need for any adaptive or therapeutic equipment and will coordinate with private medical providers as requested.

SPEECH & LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST: This professional will look at your child's ability to understand language and express self through sounds, speech or gestures. The specialist will assess how your child is able to let you know wants or feelings, and how s/he gives you information. The S/L Specialist may also evaluate oral motor and early feeding concerns (bottle or breast-feeding).

AUTISM RESOURCE SPECIALIST: This professional is trained in the evaluation and intervention appropriate for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is available to provide information and evaluation for a family of a child with communication and social-interactional concerns. They provide support for the child with autism’s unique learning style. Support can also be provided to trouble shoot problems within the family routine, talking with other family members about autism spectrum disorders and how to facilitate continued development at home.

OTHER SPECIALISTS WHO MAY BE INVOLVED:

• Behavior
• Hearing
• Social Worker
• Technology
• Vision