You know your child best; you know what your child likes and doesn’t like. Your knowledge makes you an important partner on your child’s team.
- The team will include you, your service coordinator, and at least two other EI providers.
- The number of team members may vary depending on the needs of your child and may represent different disciplines, such as a developmental therapist and a physical therapist.
- Members of the team will observe and interact with your child. They may measure your child’s abilities and compare them against developmental milestones. They may also observe and engage your child in activities to see what they can do and like to do.
- If your native language is not English, an interpreter will be provided, if available, by the EI program for evaluations and assessments. You will not be charged for the interpreter. Hard copy documents may also be translated into your family’s native language as needed.
The team will evaluate your child across all five domains of development:
- physical (how your child moves and explores),
- cognitive (how your child learns),
- communication (how your child lets you know what they need),
- social and emotional (how your child engages with you and shows feelings), and
- adaptive (how your child participates in daily self-care activities).
They will ask you questions such as:
- Is your child developing the way you expect them to develop?
- Do you have concerns about your child’s development?
- Does your child act differently than their siblings or other children you know at this age?
- What are your family routines, such as bath time and mealtime?
- How does your child respond during family activities?
- What are your family’s priorities for your child?
- What do you need to help your family focus on those priorities?
Remember that you have a right to receive evaluation reports.
Next Step: Determine Eligibility