On Reagan’s first visit with Cole’s family, she feels like she is “under the microscope.” Cole’s grandmother, Celia, seems wary of Reagan, and of early intervention. Cole’s physician recommended the referral due to delays with Cole’s communication, but his grandmother is not concerned. She has raised three children, all of whom, she says, “talked when they …
Do You Have to Be a Parent to Be a Good Early Interventionist?
Posted on March 03, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Fall in Love with Your Job All Over Again
Posted on February 12, 2015
by
Cori Hill
in All, Celebrating Early Intervention, Engaging Families
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. So how does that pertain to your job as an early interventionist?
The life of an early interventionist is packed with conducting assessments and developing IFSPs, managing lots of paperwork, and traveling here and yon all over the countryside for visits with children and families. PHEW! It makes me …
Shaking Up the *Typical* Intervention Visit
Posted on December 09, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Olivia’s IFSP outcome reads: “Olivia will use 20 different words to talk about her favorite people, objects, and foods when interacting with her family and child care provider each day for two weeks.” A developmental services provider alternates weekly visits between the child care center and Olivia’s home to help the important people in Olivia’s life …
Twins & Siblings: Supporting Families of Multiples
Posted on November 04, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination
A set of new referrals comes across your desk: two children in the same family. Twins! Wow, you think…twice the paperwork, twice the visits, twice the fun. The funny thing is that you probably wouldn’t have balked if you’d just gotten two referrals about children from different families. Why is it that multiples in the same …
Coaching: It’s About More than Just Asking Questions!
Posted on October 30, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in Adult Learning, All, Coaching Practices, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, Teamwork
Jackie receives a call from Tate’s mother, Mrs. Comer. Mrs. Comer is really frustrated because she feels like she’s not benefiting from her visits with the physical therapist. She tells Jackie that she feels like all Alex (the PT) does is ask her questions. She says “I don’t want to just be asked questions that …
The Value of Special Instruction (aka Developmental Services)
Posted on September 09, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Professional Development
Last week, the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) released its newest position statement: The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention (PDF, New Window). I was fortunate to be the chair of the workgroup that developed this statement after 2 years of intensive work. Cori Hill, my colleague …
Which Activity is Really Routines-Based?
Posted on February 20, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Bridging the Gap, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Today let’s think about what “routines-based” intervention really means. See if you can spot the similarities and differences between these two intervention activities:
Activity #1: Aimee is visiting with Josiah and his father, Martin. Josiah has an outcome on his IFSP to address his balance and coordination as he uses his walker to move about his home …
EI Practitioners + Childcare Workers = Dream Team!
Posted on December 19, 2013
by
Amy Lynn
in All, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Teamwork
Most practitioners in Early Intervention are going to visit a child at a childcare facility at some point. Admittedly, walking into a childcare center can lack the warm appeal of entering a home. The hug from the child at the door and the parents’ appreciative greeting are often replaced with an impersonal, and perhaps wary …
The Focus of the Visit is Not on the Child…What Do You Do?
Posted on December 10, 2013
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in Adult Learning, All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, What Would You Do?
You’ve been working with Brenda, Emma’s mother, for several weeks now. She is a mother who, from the very first visit, seemed hungry for adult interaction because, as she says, she’s “stuck at home all day with her kids and no one to talk to.” At each visit, you hear about her relationship with her …
Who’s the Boss?
Posted on November 19, 2013
by
Cori Hill
in All, Engaging Families, IFSP Development, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, Teamwork
How many of you remember the TV sitcom, “Who’s the Boss?” that aired in the mid-80’s? The basic premise was a role reversal of common stereotypes when a former National League baseball player moves with his daughter to an upscale Connecticut community to become a housekeeper to a high-powered executive and her son. Typical television …
