Early Childhood Intervention Therapy for Babies and Toddlers

Home-based therapy for young children with disabilities

We help babies and toddlers (up to 3rd birthday) get developmentally on track through our Physical, Speech & Occupational Therapies as well as our Specialized Skills Training.

There’s One Reason We’re All Here… AT BRIGHTON, WE’RE HERE FOR THE KIDS.

Brighton Center is an approved contractor with the State of Texas to provide Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services. Our fully licensed Therapists and Early Intervention Specialists (EIS) provide speech, occupational, and physical therapy, as well as specialized skills training and case management, to nearly 4,000 children across Bexar County each year.

Speech, Language & Feeding Therapy Services

Brighton’s licensed Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) provide home-based therapy and work with children experiencing difficulties with feeding, pronouncing words, or expressing and understanding language.

Occupational Therapy Services

Brighton’s licensed Occupational Therapists (OTs) help children reach or develop age-appropriate skills to participate in everyday activities. By addressing sensory processing, balance/mobility, and muscle functioning, OTs help children play, eat, sleep, dress, explore, learn, and socialize effectively.

Physical Therapy Services

Brighton’s licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) provide home-based therapy to children experiencing delays in gross motor skills by developing their range of motion, flexibility, strength, posture, gait, balance, and coordination.

Specialized Skills Training (SST)

Brighton’s Early Intervention Specialists (EISs) provide specialized skills training (SST) to support children’s cognitive, behavioral, and social development. Parents are also provided support on how to use these skills in daily activities to help their children reach developmental goals.

What Makes Brighton’s Therapy Services Different?

At Brighton Center, we believe parents and caregivers are a child’s most important teachers. That belief is the foundation of our coaching-based therapy model. During every visit, our therapists partner with families to share practical strategies, build skills, and strengthen confidence so learning can continue after our session ends. We help families use everyday routines, like mealtime, playtime, bath time, or outings, as powerful opportunities for growth. This collaborative approach helps children make meaningful progress while empowering families with the tools and knowledge to support development each day.

Flexible Services in your Child's Natural Environment

Brighton Center provides services in the places where your child feels most comfortable and learns best. Whether that’s at home, daycare or in another familiar setting, our therapy is designed to fit naturally into your family’s daily routines. By delivering services in your child’s natural environment, we help make learning more meaningful, convenient, and easier to fit into everyday life.

Partnering With Families Every Step of the Way

Every child enrolled in our program is supported by an Early Intervention Specialist (EIS). These early childhood professionals understand how infants and toddlers learn, grow, and communicate and how all areas of development work together. Your EIS will coordinate your child’s services and support your family with training and resources. They will partner with you to design simple learning routines and create practical strategies that can be used daily. Whether it’s helping your child prepare for transitions using a song or timer, or supporting communication and behavior, your EIS partners with you to turn real-life moments into meaningful learning opportunities.

Here, Helping is a Team Effort

Our mission is to ensure every child reaches their full potential, and our mission is only made possible through the enormous trust given by families. Helping children grow is a team effort, and effective teams are built on a foundation of trust. So come meet your team, and remember we’re here for children and their families.

Brighton Center's 200+
licensed therapists are
here to support your child

Other Available Services

Case Management Services

Brighton Center’s Early Intervention Specialists help families access and receive services, resources and support they need to support their child’s development. The support can include helping the child and family transition to special education services or other options as appropriate for children exiting Early Childhood Intervention at age 3. ECI provides comprehensive case management for all members of the child’s family as their needs relate to the child’s growth and development.

Early Signs of Autism Intervention

Brighton Center ECI Specialists are trained in Early Autism Intervention strategies through the Pathways Parent Training Program. This program has proven effective for developing the early social communication skills of social engagement and verbal reciprocity in toddlers.

Telehealth

Early Childhood Intervention services can be provided via telehealth using technology like a tablet or telephone. It is a safe, convenient, and effective way to receive critical therapy and ECI services when the therapist and child cannot meet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Tell If My Child Has A Developmental Delay?

Every child develops at their own pace; however, there are some common things to look for in determining if your child could benefit from pediatric therapy or early childhood intervention services. Under these questions is a Developmental Checklist you can review to see if your child is reaching age-appropriate milestones.

How Much Do Services Cost?

ECI is a state- and federally-funded program through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, P.L. 108-446). The evaluations/assessments determining a child’s eligibility and need for ECI services are done at no cost to families. Based on the results of the evaluations/assessments, Brighton’s professional will work with the family to plan appropriate services. ECI asks families who can afford to share in the cost of services to do so. The amount a family pays for ECI services is determined using a state-regulated sliding fee scale based on family size and income after allowable deductions. No child/family is turned away because of an inability to pay. Families with children enrolled in Medicaid do not pay for any ECI service.

Evaluation/assessment, development of the Individual Family Service Plan, Case Management, Translation, and Interpreter services are provided at no cost to any family, regardless of income.

Is Your Child Eligible For ECI Services?

Eligibility for Early Childhood Intervention is determined by a team of at least two Brighton Center professionals from different pediatric therapy disciplines (speech, occupational, and physical). An evaluation determines the nature and extent of the child’s abilities, delays, or difficulties. This evaluation is done at no cost to parents.

The ECI staff determines eligibility for infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) based on:

Medically-diagnosed Condition: A child who has a medically-diagnosed condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay qualifies for ECI. The diagnosis must be on the HHSC ECI list of qualifying diagnoses, and medical records that confirm the diagnosis must be provided.
Auditory or Visual Impairment: A child with an auditory or visual impairment, as defined by the Texas Education Agency rule at 19 TAC Section 89.1040, qualifies for ECI. This determination is made by a team led by certified staff from the local independent school district.
Developmental Delay: A child with a developmental delay of at least 25%, affecting functioning in one or more areas of development (cognition, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, and/or adaptive/self-help), qualifies for ECI.

If found eligible, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is then created that identifies the child’s unique strengths and needs and lists the types of pediatric therapy services necessary to meet these needs.

How Can I Make A Referral For A Child To Be Evaluated?

If you are concerned that an infant or toddler may have a developmental delay or disability, contact ECI for an evaluation. Anyone can make a referral, including parents, family members, healthcare professionals, social workers, caregivers, friends, or neighbors. A referral may be based on professional judgment or general concern. Call ECI at 210-826-4492 or fill out this form.

Do I Need Prior Authorization?

Prior authorization is not required for ECI Services. A signed Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) serves as the prior authorization for ECI Services, so Specialized Skills Training and Speech Language Pathology can begin immediately. Physical and Occupational Therapy require a doctor’s recommendation.

How Can I Get My Child Evaluated?

If you are concerned that your child may have a developmental delay or disability, call ECI at 210-826-4492 or fill out this form to receive more information. An ECI professional will provide an evaluation to determine your child’s eligibility for ECI.

At what Age Does My Child Need To Be To Receive ECI Services?

ECI helps children from birth to 36 months.

Developmental Checklist for Children

3 - 12 Months

Follows moving toys or faces with their eyes
Startled at loud or new sounds
Wiggles and kicks with legs and arms
Lifts head and shoulders while on stomach
Smiles back at parents or other family members
Makes sounds, like gurgling, cooing or sucking

*Developmental milestones for premature babies are often somewhere between their adjusted age and their actual age. Adjust for your baby’s age by comparing the difference between their due date and actual birth date. Most pediatricians and pediatric therapists adjust until 18 -24 months.

Explores toys with hands and mouth
Rolls over front-to-back and back-to-front
Squeals and babbles different sounds
Sits by leaning on their hands
Turns their heads to voices and responds to their names
Knows family members and seeks their attention
Enjoys playing “peek-a-boo”

Copies hand movements like “patty cake,” or “bye-bye”
Picks up crumbs or other small things with their thumb and finger
Moves toys from one hand to the other hand
Crawls on hands and knees
Sits without help
Repeats sounds like “baba”, “dada” and “mama”
Cries when mother or father leaves

12 - 21 Months

Pulls themselves up to a standing position
Walks by holding onto furniture
Drinks from a cup with your help
Waves bye-bye
Says “mama” and “dada” and one other word
Points to objects they want
Can find a toy hidden under a cloth

Uses at least three words besides “mama” and “dada”
Likes to look at pictures in a book
Holds a crayon in a fist
Hands toys to you when asked
Points to pictures or objects you name
Walks without help
Dumps contents out of a box

Likes to pull and push things while walking
Uses pointing and words together to tell what they want
Pulls off shoes and socks
Feeds themselves with their fingers
Can point to one body part when asked
Uses at least 10 words and can repeat words you say

21 - 36 Months

Likes to pull and push things while walking
Uses pointing and words together to tell what they want
Pulls off shoes and socks
Feeds themselves with their fingers
Can point to one body part when asked
Uses at least 10 words and can repeat words you say

Uses 2 to 3 words together, like “No, Mommy” or “More cookies”
Uses and understands at least 50 words
Feeds themselves with a spoon
Shows affection to family members and pets
Runs short distances without falling
Pretends play with more than one step (Feed a doll, then pat and hug it)
Shows lots of feelings (joy, anger, sadness)

Throws a ball overhand
Comforts another child who is crying
Can walk on tiptoes
Combines 2 ideas in a sentence (i.e. “I want an apple and a banana.”)
Helps to clean up
Asks for help when needed
Combines 2 toys in pretend play (Uses a stuffed bear as the driver of a toy car)
Uses at least 100 words

Early Childhood Intervention Inquiries

Testimonials

"With Brighton’s help, I feel like we now have the tools to help Amelia process her sensory issues. Amelia has made such a huge progress in her speaking that her delay no long seems insurmountable. Without these services, we would not be able to communicate with our daughter. Brighton Center’s Early Childhood Intervention services are invaluable to families like ours."

Maria Saylor, Amelia’s Mom Early Childhood Intervention Services

"Brighton offers families hope, caring, understanding, education, and every bit of it is 100% from their hearts. Our daughter has benefited from ALL of the services that Brighton has to offer. They have become like another family to us, and they will always be a part of our lives."

Mary Rudy, Lulu's MomEarly Childhood Intervention Services

"My son had achieved a few significant milestones that included rolling over on his own, crawling, and walking. I know these are regular progressions for a child, but he was delayed when it happened. That’s when I knew Brighton had made a difference."

Brice Wolf, Connor’s Dad Early Childhood Intervention Services

"When our son Archer was just a few weeks old, he was diagnosed with Sagittal Craniosynostosis, which is the premature closing of the suture that runs from front to back at the top of the head. We were worried that he had a motor delay from the start and scared that the surgery and helmet could set back his development. We reached out to Brighton and began working with a Physical Therapist, Speech ...

Alexandria & Derrick Rutledge, Archer’s Mom & Dad Early Childhood Intervention Services

"In January 2019 we took our daughter, Evelyn to a developmental specialist, and she was scoring at 6–8 months developmentally at 15 months old. She recommended that a referral be made to Brighton. After the evaluation, Evelyn was enrolled. We learned a lot from Brighton’s Occupational Therapist (OT), including her sensory seeking and proprioceptive needs and things that she needs that she can’t …

Evelyn’s Mom & Dad Early Childhood Intervention Services

"Brighton has been an absolute blessing for our family. We started with ECI (btw - therapists are amazing too!), not even aware of the day care. Wait listed and bouncing around different programs, our therapist suggested Brighton, and from Day 1 we noticed a tremendous difference compared to the others we’d already tried. We love the staff, the mix of students, the daily activities, the care and ...

David Krewson Early Childhood Intervention Services