Early Intervention, Natural Environments, Part C, IFSP

1. Early Intervention, Natural Environments, Part C, IFSP ECSE 672 Seminar #1 September 2, 2014

2. Intro to Early Intervention • Family-centered and relationship-based practices • Natural environments • Children’s learning • Adult learning • Quality team practices

3. Family-Centered Practices • “…beliefs and practices that treat families with dignity and respect..” (Dunst, Trivette, & Hamby, 2008) • Family systems theory • Identify needs, locate resources and supports, link families with those resources • Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory – • children are part a family and those who make up a network of formal and informal supports.

4. Family-Centered Practices Positive proactive helping: • Empowerment • Respect • Kindness • Hopefulness • Compassion • Responsibility • Interdependence “…enhancing the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with disabilities…” (Title 20, U.S.C. §1431[a][4], 2004)

5. Children’s Learning • Understand typical infant and toddler development • Repetition of meaningful activities with trusted caregivers • Opportunities for practice • Motivation, engagement, practice • Playing, manipulating, vocalizing, moving, experimenting

6. Six Principles of Adult Learning: • Voluntary participation • Reciprocal respect • Collaborative exchange • Praxis • Critical reflection • Self-direction Brookfield (1986)

7. Adult Learning What is your learning style? • Auditory • Visual • Kinesthetic Approaches to adult learning: • Modeling • Mentoring • Consultation • Coaching

8. Quality Team Practices A team must must integrate and function collaboratively to optimally support families of children with disabilities within the system framework of EI and within the natural environments of the family.

9. Quality Team Practices • Multidisciplinary team • Interdisciplinary team • Transdisciplinary team Which team model do you prefer? Which do you think works best for EI? For families? For children?

10. Natural Environments Natural - Typical, expected, or accepted by an individual Environment – conditions, things, and circumstances that surround something living and help it grow. Natural environment – setting that is natural or typical for a same aged infant or toddler without a disability, and may include the home or community settings (§ 303.26, 1986)

11. Natural Environments • Natural learning environments capitalize on using the materials, activities, routines, interactions, and locations in the family’s repertoire. • Routines, such as……….. • Discuss readings

12. Seven Key Principles of Providing Early Intervention See Hand-outs

13. Part C of IDEA

14. Overview to the Part C Program Under IDEA • Congress established this program in 1986 in recognition of "an urgent and substantial need" to: • enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities; • reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education through early intervention; • minimize the likelihood of institutionalization and maximize independent living; and, • enhance the capacity of families to meet their child's needs. • http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

15. The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) • A federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for • infants and toddlers with disabilities • ages birth through age 2 years • and their families. • http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

16. The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) • In order for a state to participate in the program it must assure that early intervention will be available to every eligible child and its family. • http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

17. The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) • State governors must designate a lead agency to receive the grant and administer the program • Appoint an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), including parents of young children with disabilities, to advise and assist the lead agency. • Currently, all states and eligible territories are participating in the Part C program. • http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

18. The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) • The Lead Agency in Virginia is: The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services • http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp#overview

19. Determining Eligibility for Services in EI • Diagnosed condition with a high probability of development delay and/or • 25% or greater developmental delay in one or more developmental areas and/or • Atypical development

20. Eligibility for EI Services • Additions to list of diagnosed conditions • 28 weeks or less gestational age • 28 days or more in the NICU • PVL

21. Part C • VCU's Early Intervention Professional Development Center

22. Additional Resources • Campbell, S. , Palisano, R., & Orlin, M. (2012). Physical therapy for children (4th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier. • Creger, P. (1995). Developmental interventions for preterm and high-risk infants: Self study modules for professionals. Tucson, Arizona: Therapy Skill Builders. • Vergara, E. & Bigsby, R. (2004). Developmental &therapeutic interventions in the NICU. Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks.