Hearing that your child might need Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services can feel overwhelming. In fact, you might have a mix of emotions – concern for your child, uncertainty about what lies ahead, and perhaps even a touch of guilt. Rest assured, you’re not alone in this journey, and seeking early intervention is one of the best things you can do for your child’s development. The ECI team at Brighton Center will walk you through what to expect when you receive an ECI referral, from the initial steps to the start of services.

Understanding the ECI Referral Process

First, let’s clarify what a “referral” means in this context. A referral to ECI can come from various sources:

• Your child’s pediatrician or specialist
• Healthcare providers
• Daycare caregivers or teachers
• You as the parent, or another family member
• Essentially, anyone who has a concern about your child’s development

The person making the referral should inform you that they’re doing so. ECI referrals can be made by phone, online inquiry, or fax.

What Happens After the ECI Referral?

Once a referral is made, here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Contact: Within 24 hours of receiving the referral, an ECI provider will contact you. They’ll discuss the referral and explain the evaluation process.
2. Pre-Enrollment: An Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) will schedule a pre-enrollment meeting. During this meeting, they’ll:
   • Review your child’s information
   • Discuss your concerns
   • Explain the ECI program in detail
   • Go over the parent handbook and procedural safeguards
   • Prepare you for what to expect during the evaluation
3. Comprehensive Evaluation: Within 45 days of the referral, a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted. This evaluation:
   • Involves at least two professionals from different disciplines
   • Tests all five developmental areas: Cognitive, Adaptive Skills, Motor, Communication, and Social-Emotional
   • Determines your child’s eligibility for services

Eligibility for ECI Services

Your child can qualify for ECI services in three ways:

1. An auto-qualifying medical diagnosis
2. Hearing or Vision Impairment
3. A developmental delay of 25% or more in any of the five areas tested

If your child is eligible for services, here’s what happens next:

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP): Within 45 days of the referral, an IFSP will be developed. This plan outlines the services your child needs, the goals and outcomes for your child’s development, and how these services will be delivered.

Service Delivery: Services will begin within 28 days of the IFSP being developed. ECI services are comprehensive and may include:

• Case management
• Specialized Skills Training (SST)
• Speech Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy

These services are provided in your child’s natural environment, whether that’s at home or in childcare. Accordingly, the focus is on coaching you and other caregivers to support your child’s development within their daily routines.

Common Questions and Concerns

It’s natural to have questions and concerns about this process when you receive an ECI referral. Here are some common ones:

“Did I do something to cause my child’s delays?”

It’s crucial to understand that developmental delays can happen for many reasons, often outside of your control. The ECI team will reassure you that by seeking help early, you’re doing the best thing possible for your child.

“How long will my child need services?”

ECI services are available until the day before your child’s 3rd birthday. Typically, children are enrolled for 6 months to 1 year initially, with re-evaluations to determine ongoing eligibility. Remember, these services are voluntary, and you can discontinue them at any time if you feel they’re no longer needed.

What’s the difference between therapy and Specialized Skills Training (SST)?

While both are important, they serve different purposes:

• Physical Therapy (PT) focuses on gross motor skills like crawling and walking.
• Occupational Therapy (OT) works on fine motor skills and daily living activities.
• Speech Therapy (ST) addresses language development and communication.
• Specialized Skills Training (SST) targets specific developmental goals, social skills, and school readiness.

The Role of Family in ECI

Your role as a parent or caregiver is crucial in the ECI process. You’ll be involved from day one, sharing information about your child’s strengths, abilities, and areas of concern. Moreover, the ECI team will work with you to understand your child’s daily routines, your family’s priorities, and any additional resources you might need.

A Tale of Two Families

To illustrate how ECI can work for different families, let’s look at two scenarios:

The Johnsons noticed their 18-month-old daughter, Emma, wasn’t saying any words yet. Their pediatrician made a referral to ECI. During the evaluation, it was discovered that Emma had a 30% delay in communication skills. The ECI team worked with the family to develop an IFSP focusing on speech therapy and specialized skills training to boost Emma’s language development.

The Garcias’ son, Immanuel, was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU. At 6 months old, his physical therapist noticed he wasn’t meeting some motor milestones and made an ECI referral. Immanuel qualified for services due to his medical history and current delays. His IFSP included physical therapy to address motor skills and occupational therapy to work on feeding challenges.

While these families had different starting points, both benefited from early intervention tailored to their specific needs.

An ECI Referral and the Brighton ECI Difference

In conclusion, remember that seeking help early is a sign of strength, not weakness. The Brighton ECI process is designed to support your child and your family, providing the tools and strategies needed to boost your child’s development. Furthermore, every child develops at their own pace, and with the right support, many children who receive early intervention services catch up to their peers or make significant progress.

As you embark on this journey, know that you have a team of professionals ready to support you every step of the way. In addition, your involvement and dedication to your child’s development, combined with the expertise of the ECI team, can make a world of difference in your child’s future.

Have questions about Brighton ECI services or pediatric therapy? We’ve posted information and videos about the ECI process on our website. You can also fill out this online form and one of our EIC service coordinators will get right back to you.