Early intervention services may include, but are not limited to:
- services that support your child’s general development
- speech therapy
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
What to Expect from an Evaluation
- You will be asked to sign a consent form prior to the evaluation.
- You will be asked to share information about your child’s development, health, and medical history.
- You will be asked to provide information about your family’s resources, priorities and concerns. This information helps the early support team work with you to develop a plan that meets the needs of your child and family.
- A team of professionals will work with you to learn about your child’s development in five areas:
- Physical: Reaching for and grasping toys, crawling, walking, jumping. This area also includes how well your child sees and hears.
- Cognitive: Watching activities, following simple directions, problem-solving.
- Social-emotional: Making needs known, initiating games, starting to take turns.
- Communication: Making sounds, babbling, using two- to three-word phrases.
- Adaptive: Holding a bottle, eating with fingers, getting dressed.
Child Outcome Summary (COS) Process
- Parent Brochure
- Watch the Child Outcomes Step-by-Step video, courtesy of the Early Childhood Outcomes Center.
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
Early support helps parents and caregivers meet their child’s developmental needs. The IFSP contains outcomes, that you and other members of the team will identify based on your family’s routines and activities, as well as concerns, priorities and resources. Services will be identified to help your child and family meet the IFSP outcomes.
IFSP reviews: How will we know if my child is making progress?
Your child’s service providers track the progress made toward the IFSP outcomes. If your child is not making progress, the IFSP can be reviewed at any time at your request so any necessary changes can be made. The IFSP is required to be reviewed every six months and rewritten each year.
Transition: What happens at age 3?
Early support services end on your child’s third birthday. Before your child’s third birthday, a transition plan will be developed. The plan may include other programs or services for your child. Some children are eligible for early childhood special education services provided by the local school district. For more information, look at the transition brochure.
Other Resources
Families are Important video - provides an overview of the ESIT Program in Washington:
English | Spanish
Guide to Assessment in Early Childhood: Birth to Age Eight (OSPI)
