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Getting Started
Get Diagnosed
Gathering Important Information
Organizing Your Information
The Educated Parent
Early Intervention
What To Do First
What is Early Intervention?
Research
Introduction
Keeping an IEP Notebook
Preparing for an IEP Meeting
Conducting an IEP Meeting
Individuals With Disabilities Act
IDEA ACT - A Quick Reference
IDEA Legal Text
Family Finances
Recommended Resources
Housing
Introduction to Universal Housing Design
Housing options
Building a New House ~ That Works!
Introduction to Universal Housing Design
Entrances and Thresholds
Single Family Home Resources
Remodeled Bathroom
Ceiling Lifts
Problem Spaces
Adding a Ramp
Good Restroom
Not So Good Restrooms
Great Space Adaptions
Not So Great Adaptations
Ramp Design
Ramp Design (Part 2)
Commercial Ramps
Public Access Ramps
Adding a Ramp
Retrofit Door Sill Ramp
Insurance
Medical Bills
Filing an Appeal
Medical Expenses and Income Taxes
Finding Help for the Uninsured or Underinsured
Free or Discounted Prescription Programs
Medicaid Waivers
Legal Adults - Introduction
Guardianship and Declaration of Incapacitation
Establishing Guardianship and Obtaining a Declaration of Incapacitation
Dependency Determination (Military)
When to Start the Transition Process
Begin Transition - Age 14-16
Exploring Possibilities and Guardianship Issues - Age 17
Age 18
After High School Graduation - Age 19-22
Post High School Education Options
Future Housing Options
Specialized Medical Equipment
Wheelchair Evaluation
Wheelchair Safety
Introduction: Special Needs and the Military Family
DEERS & ID Cards
Dependency Determination
TriCare Introduction
TriCare Program Options
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Individual Case Management
TriCare Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)
Early Intervention
Housing Options
Family Support Services
Community Contacts
Letters of Medical Sufficiency
Wheelchair Accessible Vans
Van Conversion: A good Example
Fund Raising - The Flamingo Air Project
Utah DSPD Complaint List Winter 2011
 

Early Intervention - Introduction

Raising children in this day and age can be a daunting task. When a child has a disability or special needs it can be even more so. Children with disabilities and their families have unique challenges that are often totally foreign to the general population.

Infants, toddlers and small children develop physically, mentally and emotionally at a very fast pace. When a disability is present it can adversely affect normal development in all three of these areas, creating more problems. Early Intervention programs are designed to decrease the affects any condition may have on all aspects of a child's early development. It is important to take advantage of the child's rapid rate of learning and natural developmental growth when it would naturally occur. Early Intervention programs provide services that allow maximum development for each individual child. Every state in the United States has an Early Intervention Program.

It is important for the parent to know they are not alone and there ARE avenues for support and help within the community. The key is in finding them. Parents of a newborn or toddler newly diagnosed with a medical condition or disability are often overwhelmed by new and unfamiliar responsibilities accompanied by a sense of inadequacy and isolation. Some feel denial, guilt or anger over circumstances over which they have no control. It is important to know that even if your infant or toddler has a disability it is not the end of the world. It is time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!