In Maryland, children under three years of age who have developmental delays may be eligible for early-intervention services through the state's Infants and Toddlers Program. The program is administered by the Early Childhood Intervention and Education Division of the Maryland State Department of Education. These five steps can help you find out about how early intervention works in Maryland and get your child started with needed services and supports.
1. Consult with your pediatrician. To be eligible for early intervention in Maryland, your child will need to have at least a 25 percent delay in development in at least one area or a medical diagnosis that makes such a delay likely. Your doctor should be knowledgeable about these requirements and able to make the referral to the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program or give you the information necessary to do so. The importance of early intervention and the availability of these services is a good reason to urge your doctor to move past the "wait and see" phase and toward an identification of problems and needed therapies.
2. Call the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program to request help for your child, if your doctor or another professional has not done this for you. The phone number is 410-767-0261 or 800-535-0182 (Maryland residents only), and the staff member who answers should be able to get you started in applying to the program or answer any questions you or your family members may have about it. You might also contact The Parents' Place of Maryland to talk to a parent educator about what you need to know to successfully advocate for your child, in early intervention and beyond.
3. Your child will be evaluated by a team including speech, physical, and occupational therapists to develop an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) that determines the services your child will receive and where they will be delivered. Your goals and wishes should also be considered in the development of the plan, and you may be asked to fill out forms or attend interviews. To educate yourself about the IFSP process and what it involves in Maryland, read "Birth to 3: A Family Guide to Early Intervention Services in Maryland," downloadable from the Maryland Learning Links site; "Developmental Screening and Early Intervention" on the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene site; and the "Early Childhood Tutorial" on the Maryland State Department of Education site. Wondering what the IFSP will look like? You can find a sample form on the Department of Education site.
4. When you receive your child's IFSP, review it to make sure you agree with the services specified and the site at which they will be delivered. Your consent is required before the services can be delivered, and you have a right to turn down anything you disagree with or back out of the program altogether. According to "Birth to 3: A Family Guide to Early Intervention Services in Maryland," services provided in the IFSP may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing care, social work, special instruction, nutritional counseling, speech and language services, hearing and vision services, and family counseling. Therapies should be provided in a natural setting, which may include your home or a day-care center your child attends. Ask questions and make sure you understand everything mentioned in the IFSP before giving your consent.
5. Service providers will be assigned to your child, and you can find out more about them through the Family Support Services Coordinators listed on the "Parent Involvement" pamphlet downloadable from the Department of Education site. Collaborate with the therapists who will be working with your child, sharing insights from your experience and asking for suggestions on how you can continue the work your child is doing at home between sessions.
