Early Intervention: A Strong Start for Children and Families

Early intervention is crucial for the well-being of children and their families. From tools given to parents and guardians, to support networks for young children, early intervention programs strive to create a successful start to every young child’s life.

Motor skills, how a child communicates, and even how they interact with family and their peers are all indicative of a child’s overall development. And whenever a particular area needs more support, early intervention specialists can guide children and their families with education and resources to make up the difference. Laura Harrell, Director of Early Intervention, and Kaitlyn Worley, Early Intervention Program Manager, both of Easterseals’ Tennessee, explore the necessity of early intervention, as well as what parents and guardians can do to help their children grow into the best version of themselves.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Early intervention is most effective during the earliest parts of a child’s life. Even as infants, children are constantly learning how to interact within their environments. For first-time parents, or parents who have other children and may be overwhelmed with different aspects of life, early intervention ensures a family unit can be as successful as possible. As Harrell explains, early intervention acts as a steppingstone before major milestones occur, like entering school.

“We focus a lot on, of course, the child [and] getting them ready for school, but a lot of [education] is getting the parents ready for the school system and the disability system,” she said. “By going into the home and working with and coaching parents, we’re teaching them how to advocate for their child. Often, they may be the only voice for their child.”

Navigating complex administrative systems like hospitals, therapies, and schools can be a daunting task. Understanding what a child needs and the best way to secure supports and resources can be confusing, especially as they are actively learning how to best assist their child. With early intervention, helping children grow is key, but it’s equally important to teach parents and guardians how to become better advocates, especially within their own communities.

“Too often in the disability world, we focus on the deficits,” Harrell said. “That’s discouraging. We want to look at children’s strengths and their individualities. Just because your child is in early intervention doesn’t mean there is a deficit. It doesn’t mean that there will be lifelong issues. We’re just giving you those resources. We want you to feel confident as a parent.”

Providing Families with Support 

For new parents and guardians, or parents and guardians with a newly disabled child, communication is key. Whether it’s speaking with doctors or teachers, a child’s first level of support will always be their parent or guardian. Yet, communication is equally important between a child and their caregiver. Worley notes that early intervention is used to provide resources and guidance during the early years, but it also serves families by teaching them how to better communicate.

“It’s hard to see that in some of the parents and guardians we work with,” Worley said. “They don’t know how to connect with their kids. If you want your child to do a specific activity, but they’re doing something else, meet them where they are and play with them. You can build off that communication. I would say it’s so important for parents to make those connections with their kids.”

Despite the success of varying early intervention programs, Harrell explains that there are some difficulties. In previous years, many early intervention services took place in a child’s home. Therapists were able to meet parents and guardians, and their children, in a familiar environment that would not only be comfortable for the child but allow specialists to give advice that could best suit their needs at home. Due to budget cuts and the pandemic, many therapies now occur virtually or at locations that may not be conducive because of the length of appointments or distance from home. While early intervention is designed to support the child, Worley notes that parents and guardians need to be accommodated, as well. For Easterseals’ Tennessee affiliate, this means partnering with childcare centers and teachers to provide therapies and lessons for children without needing to fully rely on parents or guardians.

“A lot of our families don’t have time,” Worley said. “They’re dropping their kid off at seven in the morning and picking them up at six in the evening. It’s hard to squeeze in a session with us. They must get home, get dinner done, things like that. Being able to work with childcare centers and integrate with them helps everything flow better. I’ve had situations where teachers join meetings with parents, and we come up with goals together.”

Early Intervention Looks Different for Every Child

Early intervention is not a blanket program. Each family, and especially each child, has different needs and capabilities. A specific therapy or recommendation may not be applicable for parents, guardians, or even siblings who utilized the same early intervention services. And as Harrell explains, that’s the point. Early intervention is about discovery, acceptance, and more importantly, self-advocacy.

“We realize that [early intervention] is not a one-size-fits-all,” Harrell said. “And thankfully, we embrace that through our coaching and routines. Children don’t need to only learn shapes and do puzzles.”

Early intervention is ultimately about the success of a family unit. While there is immense emphasis on the development of each child, early intervention acts as a gateway to develop lifelong tools that help parents, guardians, and children thrive to the best of their capabilities. Even after therapies and treatments stop, the lessons learned can impact further schooling, job placements, and even teaching new generations of children.