The Early Intervention Program or EIP, is a quintessential, intensive treatment option for infants and toddlers in need of PT and OT In Port Chester and White Plains NY. The New York State Early Intervention Program is part of the national Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers who are less than 3 years of age and have suspected signs of developmental issues or other disabilities. First formulated by Congress in 1986 under the IDEA Act– Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the EIP is a publicly funded program that is funded by the state of New York and county governments. Healing Therapeutics is proud to offer services to our young, up-and-coming patients, who are in need of services as designated by this act. For today’s topic of discussion, we will be breaking down the Early Intervention Program.
What Is The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act?
We would be remiss if we didn’t further clarify the specifics of this very important act. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. Prior to the creation of IDEA, over 4 million children with disabilities were not approved for accessing public education. In fact, a good many were denied entry into the public classroom, altogether, that was, until IDEA came into fruition.
Since its creation, the IDEA act consists of four distinct sections:
- Part A: Part A of the act lays out the principles for the rest of the act. This section clearly defines the terms used within the act, as well as providing for the creation of the Office of Special Education Programs, who is responsible for administering and carrying out its terms.
- Part B: Part B of this section lays out the educational guidelines for school children, ages 3-21. By law, states are required to educate students with disabilities. IDEA will provide financial support for state and local school districts. However, in terms of receiving funding, school districts need to comply with six components.
- Guaranteeing that every child is entitled to free and appropriate public education (FAPE)
- When a school professional believes that someone between the ages of 3-21 may have a disability that hinders their ability to learn, the student is then entitled to an evaluation in all areas that relate to the disability.
- Creation of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The purpose of an IEP is to lay out a series of specific actions and steps through which educational providers, students, and parents clearly identify the learning goals of the child.
- The education and services for children with disabilities must be provided in an environment that is not stringent, and if at all possible, require that those children be placed in a “typical” education setting with non-disabled students.
- Input from the child and their parents must be taken into consideration in the education process.
- If for whatever reason, a parent feels that an IEP is inappropriate for their child, or that the child is not receiving needed services, the IDEA act gives them the right to challenge the course of their child’s treatment.
- Part C: Part C of IDEA will recognize the need for identifying and reaching very young children suffering from disabilities. The portion of this act will provide direction, regarding the funding and services to be provided to children from birth through 2 years of age. Families are entitled to several services under Part C.
- Part D: The last part of IDEA, part D, describes the national activities to be undertaken to improve the education of children with disabilities. What these activities do is improve the education and transitional services provided to students with physical, emotional, and mental ailments. The section offers resources to support programs, projects, and activities, in which the students contribute positive results for children with disabilities.
The Benefits Of The Early Intervention Program (EIP)
Throughout the years, there has been an increasing recognition that the first few years of a child’s life are a very sensitive period in the process of development. Laying a foundation in childhood and beyond cognitive functioning in a behavioral, social, and self-regulatory manner, are paramount. Early childhood intervention programs are designed to reduce the likelihood of poor development amongst children. While PT and OT In Port Chester and White Plains NY are in some way embedded in these programs, this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what else is done in its entirety.
Here is what you can expect from the proprietary, but still compliant EIP program, with Healing Therapeutics:
- Plagiocephaly Evaluations: As an adjunct service, plagiocephaly evaluations and assessments for the presence of plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and scaphocephaly (deformations caused by an infant lying in one position for too long). These conditions are commonly known as “flat head syndrome.” Even though this condition is not typically concerning the child’s brain development, severe cases can disrupt normal development. If detected, our team of professionals might recommend a shape forming helmet specifically designed to correct the shape of that child’s skull.
- Other Key Findings On The Benefits Of The Early Intervention Program (EIP):
- Early childhood intervention programs have been shown to yield benefits in things like academic achievement, behavior, educational progression and attainment, mitigation in delinquency and criminality, and an improvement in labor market success and other domains.
- Interventions with better-trained caregivers and smaller child-to-staff ratios apparently offer more favorable results.
Early Intervention Program In Port Chester and White Plains NY
Healing Therapeutics is a big proponent of the Early Intervention Program. We want your children to be set up for life, all while under the watchful eye of our treatment professionals who specialize in PT and OT In Port Chester and White Plains NY. For more information on how your children can qualify for these incentives, contact us today to learn more!
