Early intervention is a statewide system that provides coordinated services to parents of young children with disabilities. Muskingum county board of DD early interventionist’s travel all over Muskingum County to help families who may have a child who is diagnosed with a disability like Down syndrome or autism or may just have a delay in their development such as a speech delay.

 

The early intervention team consists of three developmental specialists, physical therapist, occupational therapist and a speech language pathologist. The team works closely with early intervention service coordinators from the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department.

 

Anyone who has a concern regarding a child’s development can make a referral to early intervention. A child is determined eligible to receive early intervention services based on a standardized assessment (Battelle Developmental Inventory -2), observation, and parent report. Once eligible the family will receive services through a primary service provider.

 

The primary service provider’s role is to work with and support the family members and caregivers in the child’s life. Infants and toddlers learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar settings. All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development.

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The team, which includes the family, service coordinator and primary service provider, develop the Individualized family service plan (IFSP) which outlines what is important to the family and their child’s development.

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For children who are showing “red flags” for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or who may already have a diagnosis we offer the PLAY Project. The PLAY Project is family and child centered. It empowers parents, is relationship based and playful and fun. It addresses the core deficit of autism which is social impairment.