Early Intervention Resources
- The Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education
The Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education is an umbrella title for a group of three state-funded and six federally-funded grant projects that deal with young children with disabilities, their
families and teachers.
- Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services - Early Childhood Research Institute
This Web site presents descriptions and reviews of current early childhood materials,
selected for their potential usefulness with culturally and linguistically diverse children and
families. The reviews present strengths, limitations, and potential adaptations of the
materials, as well as recommendations for the most appropriate audiences. Many of the
reviewed materials were developed for use with children at risk for developmental delays.
- Developmental Progress Chart
This chart gives general milestones in a child's development. The
information below lets you know what to expect.
- Division for Early Childhood
This nonprofit organization advocates for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families. It was founded in 1973 and is dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of children. Children with special needs include those who have disabilities, developmental delays, are gifted/talented, and are at risk of future developmental problems.
- Down Syndrome: Teaching Reading and Language
This website created to help parents make or purchase learning materials for their infants and toddlers with special needs.
- Early Childhood Autism Program
Specializing in early intensive intervention for young children with autistic behaviors at the University of Nevada Reno
- Early Childhood Research Institute on Measuring Growth and Development
This project was developed to produce a comprehensive system for continuously measuring the skills and needs of individual children with disabilities from birth to eight years of age. This measurement system includes two major elements: growth and development indicators for monitoring the progress of individual young children; and solutions-oriented assessments allowing families and early childhood and early elementary educators to identify features of classroom and home settings they can change to improve children's developmental outcomes.
- Early Childhood Education On Line
A collaborative effort to organize information for the early childhood community. Includes an on-line discussion group. Produced by the University of Maine.
- Early Intervention Research Institute (EIRI)
The original mission of the institute was outlined "to investigate the effectiveness and associated costs of early education and related services for infants and children with different kinds and severity of disabilities." Although research and evaluation remain a primary focus, EIRI activities and its mission have expanded. Projects are no longer restricted to children with disabilities and now focus on children with varying needs in the community. The awareness of the family role in intervention and a need to understand this role from a practice and impact perspective have grown as well.
- Effective Practices for Preparing Young Children with Disabilities for School
This ERIC digest discusses some of the best practices in early childhood intervention.
- The Hanen Early Language Program
The Hanen Centre, a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization with an international outreach, is committed to helping young children with or at risk for language delay learn to communicate and interact effectively.
- International Society on Early Intervention
The primary purpose of the ISEI is to provide a framework and forum for professionals from around the world to communicate about advances in the field of early intervention. The membership of ISEI is composed of basic and clinical researchers relevant to the field of early intervention representing a diverse array of biomedical and behavioral disciplines, as well as clinicians and policy-makers in leadership positions.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
This is the nation's largest organization of early childhood professionals and others dedicated to improving the quality of early childhood education programs for children birth through age eight.
- National Center for Early Development & Learning (NCEDL)
Research at NCEDL focus on enhancing the cognitive, social and emotional development of children from birth through age eight. It's goals include determining the state of the nation and conduct research on critical issues in early childhood practices; developing partnerships with diverse constituencies; synthesizing knowledge and recommend future directions; and translate research into practice and disseminate information to diverse audiences.
- National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NEC*TAC)
This program provides responsive technical assistance (TA) to the programs supported under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for infants and toddlers with disabilities (Part H of IDEA) and for preschoolers with disabilities (Section 619-Part B of IDEA) in all states and participating jurisdictions, and to the projects funded by OSEP under the Early Education Program for Children with
Disabilties (EEPCD).
- The National Head Start Disabilities Services Training Center
The National Head Start Disabilities Services Training Center has developed a series of five training guides to strengthen the capacity of early childhood programs to reach and serve children with disabilities and their families. These guides cover a range of topics related to disabilities services, from supporting children with challenging behaviors, to translating the IEP into everyday classroom practice.
- A Parent's Guide: Accessing Programs for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers With Disabilities
This guide from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) is intended to assist families in obtaining help for their young children with special needs (ages birth through 5 years). It answers commonly asked questions about early intervention services for infants and toddlers (birth to 2 years), and related services for children ages 3 through 5 years old. This guide identifies what the early intervention policies and contacts are in your state and area.
- Portage Project
The Portage Home-Based Model of Early Intervention, has had documented success as
implemented in Portage, Wisconsin and throughout the nation leading to its unanimous approval by
the Joint Dissemination and Review Panel of the U.S. Office of Education in 1975 and its
recertification in 1985 and 1992. The original model has been modified to reflect current research
and best practices in early intervention.
- Preparing Children with Disabilities for School
This ERIC digest discusses high quality and developmentally appropriate preschool programs that help
prepare disadvantaged and disabled children for school.
- Teaching Strategies, Inc.
An early childhood education site for parents and teachers of children from birth through grade three.
- ZERO TO THREE: National Center For Infants, Toddlers and Families
This organization's mission is to help children best navigate their first three years of life in order to develop a solid intellectual, emotional and social foundation. This site has separate sections for parents and professionals.