Books
Early Intervention Workbook : Essential Practices for Quality Services
Lynda Pletcher and Naomi Younggren.
Brookes Publishing, 2013
This comprehensive resource walks readers through every key step of the early intervention journey with children birth to 3, from the crucial first meeting with a family to the child’s transition out of intervention.
Call#: HV 713 .P566 2013
From Early Intervention – to Preschool Programs – and Schoolage Services: A Parent’s guide to Transitioning Young Children with Special Needs
Padmaja Sarathy
LRP Publications, 2006
This parent guide is designed to empower families to ask the right questions and seek the most relevant information from the professionals to help make effective transition-related decisions for young children with special needs
Call#: LC 4019.3 .S243 2006
Introducing Me (Me Too! Series)
Marci Hanson and Maria Morgan
Brookes Publishing, 2001
Introducing Me is one of a series of books called Me, Too! written for parents to help with the transition into preschool of young children with special needs. These short books are designed to be read with children. These books help parents with selecting a preschool, building relationships with people in the community, understanding their child’s behavior and their child’s friendships, and creating schedules and routines.
Call#: HV 888 .H251i 2001
Negotiating the Special Education Maze: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
Winifred Anderson, et al.
Woodbine House, 2008
This guide covers what parents and advocates need to consider when a child is not succeeding in an early childhood program or school: seeking an evaluation, planning an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), understanding classroom placement options, and monitoring progress.
Call#: LC 4031 A552 2008
The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals: Partnering for Success
Bonnie Keilty
Teachers College Press, 2010
Keilty explains what early intervention looks like and how families can best partner with professionals so that young children can learn, grow, and thrive. The book includes a chapter on assessment and planning outlining how parents and professionals can work together throughout the process.
Call#: WS 350.6 K27e 2010
Tools for Transition in Early Childhood: A Step-by-Step Guide for Agencies, Teachers, and Families
Beth Rous and Rena Hallam
Brookes Publishing, 2006
This how-to guide provides a step-by-step model showing how families and professionals can work together to design effective transitions for young children with special needs.
Call#: HQ 778.63 .R863 2006
Transitions for Young Children: Creating Connections across Early Childhood Systems
Sharon Lynn Kagan and Kate Tarrant
Brookes Publishing, 2010
This book brings together writings on early childhood transitions from leading researchers and practitioners around the world. Focusing on both vertical and horizontal transitions, the expert contributors give readers in-depth guidance to enhance and improve transitions.
Call#: LB 1139.25 .K11 2010
Videos
First IEP: Parent Perspectives
30 min; DVD
Paul H. Brookes Pub.; 2005
This video facilitates collaboration between professionals and parents as they help young children make the transition from early intervention to preschool. The video answers questions and concerns about IEPs, gives viewers an accurate picture of the process, and promotes dialogue between families and professionals.
Call#: LB 1031 .C518 2005
Transition: The Never-Ending Story
60 min; DVD
STARNET Regions I & III, 2001
This video shows interviews with early intervention professionals and parents to explain the transition from early intervention to preschool. It discusses important points for best practices.
Call#: LC 4019.3 .T772 2001
Turning 3, from C to B: Age 3 Transitions for Kids with Special Needs = Tercer Cumpleaños, De Parte C a Parte B: Transiciones Para Niños Con Necesidades Especiales.
23 min; DVD
Landlocked Films, 2006
This video explains the age 3 transition from Part C to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through interviews with families, providers, and school officials.
Call#: LC 4019.2 .T955 2006
Transition Planning – Frequently Asked Questions
This video, produced by Illinois Child Find, discusses the transition process from early intervention to early childhood special education services. Topics addressed include planning, evaluation, eligibility, and options. This is a supplemental video to a three-part series on transition.
Resource Webinar: CFC Procedure Manual: Transition
This recorded webinar focuses on the transition from EI at age three in regards to the CFC Procedure Manual. A PDF of the PowerPoint slides can be downloaded at https://blogs.illinois.edu/files/6039/140057/76578.pdf
Dissecting the IEP 6 Part Webinar Series on Demand
This 6 part webinar series breaks down the components of the IEP to ensure that you have clear an understanding of your child’s IEP. Supporting documents, including PowerPoint presentations, are available for each video.
The ABCs of the IEP: Making the IEP Work for Your Child
This workshop will help parents understand how to use the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to benefit their child. Participants will learn how each required part of the IEP can be developed to meet their child’s needs and how to participate effectively in the annual IEP meeting. Includes some information specific to Minnesota. Also available in Spanish, Hmong, Somali.
IEP Meeting Tips for Parents: 8 Insider Tips on Navigating an IEP Meeting
Hear from two parents (one a former teacher), who are also on the Understood team, on what they wish they’d known before their IEP meetings. From who to bring to how to prepare, get inside tips from moms who’ve been in your shoes.
Everything You Want to Know About Transition for Parents
This webinar will help families prepare for your child’s transition from Early Intervention services to preschool. It covers: Differences between EI and Early Childhood services, transition steps & timelines, and why they are important, eligibility for school based services, parent rights under the law, exploring your options, sharing what you know about your child, and preparing to be an active participant in the educational planning for your soon-to-be preschooler.
Articles
Exceptional Parent, 34(9), 54, 56–59
Transition: A New Path in the Journey
Susan Addison. (2004)
This article uses one family’s story to illustrate some of the challenges for families of young children with special needs as they make the transition out of early intervention programming.
Infants & Young Children, 35(2), 150-162
Transitions Out of Early Intervention: A Qualitative Investigation of Families’ Experiences
Jamie Mahurin-Smith. (2022)
This study was designed to describe the experience of families exiting the early intervention (EI) system and transitioning into early childhood special education (ECSE) programs. Findings indicate that the transition out of EI is associated with parental anxiety and uncertainty, which can be allayed through strong relationships with EI service providers.
Young Exceptional Children, 10(3), 10–16
Transitions of Families from Early Intervention to Preschool Intervention for Children with Disabilities
Ann Connelly. (2007)
This article provides an overview of the transition from Part C to Part B services and discusses methods of dealing with issues or problems that might arise during the process.
Young Exceptional Children, 12(3), 15–31
Using Interagency Collaboration to Support Family-Centered Transition Practices
Diane Branson and Ann Bingham. (2009)
Using the story of Lanie and her son Harry, this article explains collaboration between parents and professionals during the transition process.
Young Exceptional Children, 4(2), 12–14
Birth to Three Transition: One Family’s Story
Beth Swedeen. (2001)
In this article, a mother describes her journey with her daughter through the transition from early intervention services.
Web Resources
Transition at Age 3: Leaving the Early Intervention Program (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.
Answering Questions About Your Child’s Special Needs (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.
Transition: Understanding Family Rights
It is important to understand your family’s rights throughout early intervention (EI) and into the next step in your child’s journey. You are a critical part of your child’s IEP team.
Early Intervention / Extended Services
As of January 2022, some children who are in Early Intervention (EI) may be eligible to extend EI services past the child’s third birthday. Only some children will qualify. This document will help to answer the questions that you may have and provide you with resources as you make the best decision for your child and family.
Early Intervention to Early Childhood Transition Frequently Asked Questions
This September 2022 FAQ from the Illinois State Board of Education answers questions about the general transition process, late referrals, timelines, extended services, and the Early Childhood Transition System for LEAs.
Guide to Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
Developed by Autism Speaks, this interactive, mobile-friendly, video-based resource for families in the autism community is divided into six simple sections filled with videos and tools to guide you in the right direction as you navigate the IEP journey and the school system with your child. Sections include IEP basics, getting an IEP, developing an IEP, changing an IEP, changing an IEP, disputing an IEP, and important things to remember. Also available in Spanish.
Quality Inclusive Practices Checklist
This instrument, developed by the Heartland Equity and Inclusion Project at Heartland Community College, is designed to assess quality inclusive practices within early childhood environments measuring access, participation, and supports. Parents can use the checklist as a conversation starter with early childhood programs.
Sign Here! Three Tips for Navigating the IEP Process
Written by a parent, this article provides three tips that may help families navigate the IEP process.
SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library
The SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library supports the inclusion of young children with disabilities birth–five and their families, in early care and education settings. The SpecialQuest materials and approach have been used nationwide, refined over a period of ten years, and have been shown to create and sustain change. Materials on this website are provided at no cost with funding from the Office of Head Start.
Tearless Transitions
Transitions are the times when children change from one activity to another. Young children sometimes react to transitions by engaging in challenging behaviors. Consistent classroom routines may help, but young children can still find transitions difficult. Good planning helps teachers smooth the way. Also in Spanish and Polish.
Transition at Age Three
This training session includes handouts, videos, presentations and scripts used in the SpecialQuest Inclusion Training. Session activities provide an opportunity for participants to consider specific strategies to promote best practices before, during, and after a child’s transition at age three.
When I’m 3 Where Will I Be?
This workbook was created by parents and early intervention and school personnel. It guides Illinois families through their child’s transition from Early Intervention Program services. This online booklet is designed to help parents with setting goals, sharing information with professionals, understanding the evaluation process, and preparing for the first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. Also in Spanish. A three-part video series and an FAQ video are also available to supplement this workbook.
Your Child’s Move from Early Intervention to Preschool Special Education Services
This tip sheet from the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center provides guidance for families as they journey through the transition process from early intervention to preschool special education services.