Parent Resources

What is early intervention?

If your child is behind in any area of development within the broad range of expected growth, it may be cause for concern. Early intervention is the term used to describe the services and supports that are available to evaluate and assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and to help you address any possible challenges early on with a comprehensive, personalized program of care.

Early Intervention therapists provide infants and toddlers with individualized therapeutic support, such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other specialized services, to promote learning and growth. Therapies are designed to address each child’s specific needs and provide families with the skills to help their child navigate their daily surroundings and activities.

The framework of early intervention

Familiar Places & Faces

Your child learns best in a comfortable environment, with the people they know. From getting dressed to playing games, early intervention sessions take place in your child’s home or daycare center, allowing him or her to practice daily routines and activities with therapeutic guidance and support.

Your Child, Your Therapy

Every child has unique needs, and our team of therapists and supervisors will work hand-in-hand with you to create and implement a customized, comprehensive, and flexible program of care so that your child continuously progresses, learns, and achieves.

Together, We Can

Your child’s success involves the support of your whole family. We provide personalized education and training for family members so they can promote the recommended methodologies and strategies for your child in a way that is consistent with their values and lifestyle.

Our Resources

What Is Autism Intervention? Definition And Treatment

While there is no cure for autism, early intervention can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD.

What Is Autism? Definition And Diagnosis

In this in-depth article, we will explore the multifaceted nature of autism, delving into its definition, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and potential treatment options.

What is Speech Therapy? Diagnosis And Treatment

Speech therapy is a specialized field that aims to improve individuals' communication skills and address various speech and language disorders.

What Is Feeding Therapy?

This article will discuss what is feeding therapy, its purpose, the conditions it addresses, the professionals involved, assessment methods, and therapeutic approaches.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Let's explore what occupational therapy is and delve into the important role occupational therapists play in improving people's lives.

What Is Physical Therapy?

In this section, we will explore the definition of physical therapy and the important role that physical therapists play in the field.

What Are Autism Services?

In this section, we will explore what autism therapy services are and the important role they play.

What Is Special Instruction?

In this section, we will explore what special instruction is, its significance in early intervention, and the professionals who provide this specialized support.

Your child’s milestones

Your child goes through many delightful stages of development during infancy and toddlerhood. Smiling, cooing, laughing, reaching, crawling — many of them emerge naturally over time, as he or she progresses from one milestone to the next.

But what if your child is not reaching these expected milestones?

If you are concerned about your child’s development, it is important to understand that children don’t all learn at the same pace or schedule. A professional evaluation can help you assess whether therapeutic measures are necessary or not.

Expected milestones fall into a broad spectrum of what is considered typical for children of any selected age range.

The Five Areas of Early Childhood Development

What else do we need to know?

Thinking, learning and solving problems

Is your baby or toddler exploring the world around them and trying to learn about it?

SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL SKILLS:

Relating to other people

Does your baby smile at others or try to communicate with sounds? Does your toddler ask for help or show feelings?

SPEECH & LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Using and understanding language

Does your baby coo or babble? Does your toddler understand you and use words correctly?

FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS:

Using small and large muscle groups

Fine motor: Can your baby grasp objects? Can your toddler hold a utensil or color with a crayon?

‍Gross motor: Can your baby sit up, roll over, or cruise? Can your toddler jump, run, or climb up stairs?

DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES:

Handling everyday tasks

Can your toddler participate in feeding, dressing, or bathing?

Developmental Milestones:

Three Months Six Months Twelve Months Eighteen Months Two Years Three Years

Developmental Milestones

Three Months:

Lifts and turns head from side to side when lying on stomach
Grasps rattle when rattle is placed in hand
Smiles when smiled at
Visually tracks a moving object or person
Turns head toward bright colors, lights, and toward and the sound of a human voice
Makes cooing and gurgling sounds

Six Months

Holds head steady when sitting (with some help)
Rolls over
Reaches for and grasps objects
Helps hold bottle during feeding
Explores by mouthing and banging objects
Pulls up to sitting position if hands are grasped
Opens mouth for spoon
Babbles and imitates some sounds
Knows familiar faces

Twelve Months

Drinks from cup with help
Rolls over
Grasps small objects with thumb and forefinger
Sits unsupported
Crawls
Pulls self up to stand
Stands alone momentarily
Begins to use objects, like a like a brush, correctly
Babbles, but with inflection, which sounds like talking
Says first word
Waves goodbye
Understands simple commands

Eighteen Months

Turns pages in a book
Stacks two blocks
Walks independently
Scribbles with crayons
Identifies object in a picture book
Begins to sort by shapes and colors
Follows simple, one-step directions
Says 8-10 words others can understand
Repeats words heard in conversation
Looks at person speaking to him or her
Asks for something by pointing or using one word
Acts out familiar activity in play (i.e. pretending to eat)
Recognizes self in mirror or pictures

Two Years

Feeds self with spoon
Builds tower with blocks
Walks upstairs with help
Explores surroundings
Begins to make believe play
Can and will follow directions
Enjoys looking at the same books over and over
Speaks about 50 words
Uses 2-3 word sentences
Comforts a distressed friend of parent
Refers to self by name and uses “me” and “mine”
Points to eyes, ears, or nose when asked

Three Years

Walks up steps, alternating feet
Turns pages in a book one at a time
Pays attention for about three minutes
Counts 2-3 objects
Follows simple one-step commands
Can talk about what happened yesterday
Uses 3-5 word sentences
Asks short questions
Names at least one color correctly
Knows first and last name
Recognizes & understands most common objects & pictures

Do you:

Have concerns about your child’s development?

Worry that your child is not reaching developmental milestones as quickly as you think they should be, or they seem to function differently from peers?

Struggle with getting through daily routines with your child?

Have a diagnosis for your child, and are wondering what provider is best for you?

We're here to help.

Request an at-home evaluation to determine if your child is eligible for early intervention services at no cost to your family.

Learn about pregnancy resources available in Philadelphia here.

Schedule an evaluation