Early Intervention
Federally funded developmental services for infants and toddlers (birth to 3) with disabilities or developmental delays.
Early intervention refers to the services and supports provided to infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or diagnosed conditions likely to result in developmental delays. Authorized under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), early intervention is administered by state lead agencies (typically state health, education, or human services departments) and serves approximately 450,000 children annually nationwide. Eligibility is based on either a specified developmental delay (the threshold varies by state, commonly 25% to 33% delay in one or more domains) or a diagnosed condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental delay, such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, or hearing and vision impairments. Services are guided by an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) developed with the family and can include developmental therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology, vision services, assistive technology, and family training and counseling. Services are delivered in "natural environments" whenever possible, typically in the child's home or regular childcare setting rather than a clinic. Part C is funded jointly by federal, state, and local sources, with federal appropriations of approximately $540 million supplemented by state investment that varies dramatically (total program spending ranges from about $50 million per year in some small states to over $400 million in California). Family cost-sharing practices vary: about half of states provide early intervention services at no cost to families, while others charge sliding-scale fees or bill private insurance and Medicaid. Early intervention transitions children to Part B preschool special education services at age 3, a transition that can be difficult because Part C is more family-centered and Part B is classroom-based. Research including the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS) finds that early intervention produces meaningful developmental gains particularly when services begin before age 2 and when family engagement is strong.