Increasingly, parents and pediatricians are recognizing children with learning differences or delays. Early intervention reduces the likelihood of delays among at-risk children and assists and empowers families to meet their child's and their own needs.  There are many facilities specializing in early intervention programs .

When and where to begin the process?

If you notice that your child is not developing skills such as walking, talking or playing like other young children, you may want to speak to your child's pediatrician. If the doctor is concerned or you are still uncomfortable with your child's progress you may want to investigates the facilities available in your area for assessment and early intervention.

Early Intervention: What It Is, and Why It Is Important

What is Early Intervention?

Early intervention services are intended to provide families who have children with developmental disabilities or delays with support and resources to maximize the child’s abilities, while respecting family decisions and cultures. Services are provided at the state or local level, and often can be arranged through the local school system.

The earlier a child receives services to address the effects of hearing loss, the more time there is to influence positive learning outcomes.

What are the Goals of Early Intervention Services?

Children born with any type of developmental delay are at risk for falling behind in their educational potential. When hearing loss is diagnosed it is very important you begin the planning process for your child’s educational future. That is where early intervention services come in. Early intervention services are designed so children receive the early intervention or other services they need in a timely manner so they can enter preschool and elementary school ready to succeed.

Studies have shown that the following three goals are vital to any early intervention plan:

• A service plan developed as early as possible after the child’s diagnosis.
• Heavy involvement by families in the development and execution of the agreed upon plan.
• A highly structured plan that provides clear and measurable goals.

In the most basic terms, a child's brain is programmed to learn foundational language skills during the first six years of life, the first three years being the most critical. After age 6, it is increasingly difficult for the human brain to acquire language and speech skills.

Therefore, families who choose listening and spoken language for their children with hearing loss need to recognize that their child will need some degree of educational and (re)habilitative intervention, and then start taking steps in that direction as soon as they suspect their child has a hearing loss. The earlier the intervention, the easier it will be for the child to acquire listening and spoken language.

The Importance of Family Involvement

As with every aspect of raising your child, your full commitment and involvement in an early intervention plan is vital to the success of your child. Even with regular speech therapy, the vast majority of your child’s learning will take place with you at home. At every stage of your early intervention services, make sure you are aware of what things you can do at home to continue language development.

Sited from:

- http://listeningandspokenlanguage.org/

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Stages of development:

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