Early Intervention Visits

Early Intervention in the home allows an Early Interventionist (EI) to come in and work with you and your child on the goals that you and the team have chosen for the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). During visits, they will talk with you about the IFSP goals and what is happening with the child or your family and provide specific support for your child’s and family’s goals. They will try to make sure your priorities are the focus of their visits. During visits, the EI may: watch you and your child while you do things you normally do during your day and talk with you about how a goal could be addressed, show you how to help your child learn a skill, talk to you about how you can help your child learn things during the day, problem-solve with you, and talk with you about how your child is growing and learning.

Yes, you, and other family members that are around your child on a regular basis, are an important part of each visit. You talk with and do things with your child and the EI during the visit. This is a time for you and the EI to talk about activities and ideas that you can do with your child throughout the week to help him/her learn new things.

The EI can work with your child at the child care program if this is the best for your family. The EI will share ideas with the childcare provider in order to help him/her work with your child throughout the week. The EI will email notes to you at the end of MTSU Home and Community Based Early Intervention Program Q/A Program Overview each visit. The note will tell you what happened or was discussed during the visit and what you or the EI may do between visits.

Typically, one hour. However, your IFSP may reference a different amount of time.

Activities are based on the goals from your IFSP and your priorities. The EI will use materials and activities that are in your family’s home and part of your day (such as meal times, playing with siblings, etc.). You and the EI will find ways to use the things you do at home or within the community and have in your home each day to help your child learn new skills.

Your input is the most important when planning and working with your child. Simply talking with your EI about things you would like to do and the goals on the IFSP will help you both know what things are most important for your family to work on. Communication is key!