EARLY INTERVENTION ANDCHILD DEVELOPMENTMindy DeGeer

ECSE Teacher

Minnewaska Area Schools

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Increase your understanding of early intervention

Review developmental milestones Learn about “red flags” in development Prepare you to communicate with caregivers

EARLY INTERVENTION

System of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as:

physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking); cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems); communication (talking, listening, understanding); social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and

happy); and self-help (eating, dressing).

EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES 

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Often is the service coordinator

Assistive technology (devices a child might need) Audiology or hearing services Counseling and training for a family Medical services Nursing services Nutrition services Occupational therapy Physical therapy Psychological services Speech and language services

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; BY 3 MONTHS

Motor Skills lift head when held at your shoulder lift head and chest when lying on his

stomach turn head from side to side when lying on his

stomach follow a moving object or person with his

eyes grasp rattle when given to her wiggle and kick with arms and legs

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 3 MONTHS

Sensory and Thinking Skills turn head toward bright colors and lights turn toward the sound of a human voice recognize bottle or breast respond to your shaking a rattle or bell

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 3 MONTHS

Language and Social Skills make cooing, gurgling sounds smile when smiled at communicate hunger, fear, discomfort

(through crying or facial expression) usually quiet down at the sound of a soothing

voice or when held

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 6 MONTHS

Motor Skills hold head steady when sitting with your help reach for and grasp objects play with his toes help hold the bottle during feeding explore by mouthing and banging objects move toys from one hand to another pull up to a sitting position on her own if you

grasp her hands sit with only a little support roll over bounce when held in a standing position

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; BY 6 MONTHS

Sensory and Thinking Skills open his mouth for the spoon imitate familiar actions you perform

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; BY 6 MONTHS

Language and Social Skills babble, making almost sing-song sounds know familiar faces laugh and squeal with delight scream if annoyed smile at herself in a mirror

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; BY 12 MONTHS

Motor Skills drink from a cup with help feed herself finger food like raisins grasp small objects by using her thumb and index or

forefinger use his first finger to poke or point put small blocks in and take them out of a container knock two blocks together sit well without support crawl on hands and knees pull himself to stand or take steps holding onto

furniture stand alone momentarily walk with one hand held

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; BY12 MONTHS

Sensory and Thinking Skills copy sounds and actions you make respond to music with body motion try to accomplish simple goals (seeing and

then crawling to a toy) look for an object she watched fall out of

sight (such as a spoon that falls under the table)

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 12 MONTHS

Language and Social Skills babble, but it sometimes “sounds like”

talking say his first word recognize family members’ names try to “talk” with you respond to another’s distress by showing

distress or crying show affection to familiar adults show apprehension about strangers raise her arms when she wants to be picked

up understand simple commands

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AGES 1-2 YRS.

Motor Skills walks alone pulls toys behind when walking begins to run squats to floor and returns to stand throw a ball forward removes simple clothing can pick up small objects with finger tips build a 6 block tower washes and dries hands independently

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AGES 1-2 YRS.

Sensory and thinking skills finds hidden objects sorts by shape and color plays make-believe complete 5 piece knob puzzle initate social games and maintain interaction show pride in accomplishments

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AGES 1-2 YRS.

Language and Social Skills imitates behavior of others aware of herself as separate from others enthusiastic about company of other children parallel play points to 3 body parts understands 50 words follow 1-2 step commands 2 word phrases- “up daddy”, “go bye-bye” uses words to express needs

RED FLAGS AT 1 YEAR

Does not crawl or drags one side while crawling.

Says no single words. No or little eye contact Sensory issues Does not learn to use gestures, such as

waving or head shaking

RED FLAGS AT 18-24 MONTHS

Does not walk by 18 months or walks exclusively on the toes.

Does not speak at least 15 words Does not seem to know the function of

common household objects like telephones and eating utensils.

Does not imitate actions or words or follow simple instructions.

Cannot push a wheeled toy

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 3-4 YRS.

Motor Skills climbs well walks up and down stairs, alternating feet kicks ball runs easily pedals tricycle bends over without falling

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 3-4 YRS.

Sensory and Thinking Skills matches an object in hand to picture in book sorts objects by shape and color completes 3 - 4 piece interlocking puzzles understands concept of “two” can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving

parts plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people copies a circle with pencil or crayon turns book pages one at a time builds towers of more than 6 blocks screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handle

TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT; 3-4 YRS. Language and Social Skills imitates adults and playmates show affection for familiar playmates can take turns in games understands “mine” and “his / hers” Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps Can name most familiar things Understands words like “in,” “on,” and “under” Says first name, age, and sex Names a friend Says words like “I,” “me,” “we,” and “you” and some

plurals (cars, dogs, cats) Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the

time Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences

RED FLAGS AT 3 YEARS

Falls frequently or has difficulty using stairs. Difficulty manipulating small objects Is unable to communicate in short phrases or

understand simple instructions. No interested in “pretend” play Separation anxieties.

RED FLAGS AT 4 YEARS

Does not respond to people outside the family.

Unable to communicate appropriately. Shows no interest in interactive games or

fantasy play. Resists dressing, sleeping, or using the toilet. No self-control when angry or upset

RED FLAGS AT ANY AGE

Slipping backwards in any area is of major concern.

Loss of language skills and/or social skills at any age is a significant red flag.

Children who are no longer able to communicate or interact socially at levels they once could.

RED FLAGS: CAUSE FOR ACTION, NOT ALARM

Developmental milestones. Each child develops in his/her own particular

manner. Signs can be related to physical development

or motor skills, vision and hearing, emotional reactions, behavioral and other issues

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

“ A rule of thumb for social and behavior problems is that a child’s social and emotional development correlates with language development.”

Raymond Tervo, MD, (Tervo, R. (2009), “Red Flags and Rules of Thumb: Sorting Out Developmental Delay”. A Pediatric Perspective, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Vol 18, No. 2. Aggressi

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS

May demonstrate developmental sequence as a younger typical child

May have reduced language during play More isolated play Less associative and cooperative play Lack of problem solving skills during play Lack of curiosity in play Lack of social rules through peer

confrontation

IF THERE IS A CONCERN… For any child age 0-5 years connect with Help

Me Grow on their website: www.helpmegrowmn.org, call 1-866-693-GROW, or contact your local school district:

Minnewaska Area Schools Early InterventionStarbuck Early Childhood Center

320-239-1403

WORKING EFFECTIVELY AND BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH CAREGIVERS

Begin discussion by expressing concern for the child.

Let parents know that your goal is to help the child and you want to work together.

Ask parent have s/he noticed similar situations

REFERENCES

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

Center for Disease Control Raymond Tervo, MD, (Tervo, R. (2009), “Red Flags and Rules of Thumb: Sorting Out Developmental Delay”. A Pediatric Perspective, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Vol 18, No. 2.