The Importance of Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities

As I spoke in my previous Blog, my daughter, M. exhibited behaviors that concerned me. Instead of sitting down and playing with a toy, she wandered around the house, never engaging in playing with toys or another person. Walking on uneven surfaces such as a gravel parking lot was avoided by my daughter insisting that I carry her in those situations. Playing in a powdery snowfall was greeted with terror. She walked and talked much later than her peers and she did not have a dominant left or right hand. By the time she was 3-yrs old, M. was self-limiting her food selections to a mere handful of foods.

After our daughter was determined to be eligible for educational services, she received occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech therapy. I cannot begin to stress the importance of early intervention. At the time, the benefits of these services seemed incremental but over the years we witnessed first-hand the positive benefits these therapies provided.

The frustration and anxiety that often accompany learning disabilities, can be reduced by early intervention. Coping skills addressed in occupational therapy, physical therapy and other services can help a child succeed in school and later through adult life. Through various evaluations, experts can identify the child’s strengths and weaknesses then develop an appropriate Individualized Education Program (IEP) to increase learning success.1

As a parent, what can you do? If you notice any developmental delays or have concerns regarding your child’s development, talk with your pediatrician or healthcare provider. If your concerns are not addressed, you can request a developmental screening. Every state or territory in the U.S. offers publicly funded programs to support babies and youth with developmental delays and disabilities. These include Birth-to-Three programs which offer occupational therapy, physical therapy and more services depending upon the child’s needs.2 

Even if your child is older and attending school, don’t hesitate to request an evaluation. If your child is struggling in school, there may be many reasons behind their behavior. Parents and teachers share a mutual goal, to support student success.

Citations

  1. Learning Disabilities Association of America. (2018). New to LD. Retrieved September 17, 2024, from https://ldaamerica.org/support/new-to-ld/ 

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