Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs: A Look at the Professionals

An early intervention program that is designed to meet your child's special needs is important. These can take different forms and will include a wide variety of services and professionals. It does need mentioning that there are differences in the quality and quantity of programs in each state.

It can be overwhelming having to deal with so many professionals but don't allow yourself to be intimidated.

Below is a brief description of the professionals you may work with. They should all be highly trained in the area of their expertise.

Developmental Pediatrician

There are not many developmental pediatricians but you may have one in your community, who will be part of the early intervention team. A developmental pediatrician has special training in development combined with his medical education.

Should you have a developmental pediatrician on your team he may review your child's records, and participate directly in assessments and planning for your child.

Infant Educator

This is a teacher trained to work in helping your baby's overall development and specifically on his cognitive development. An infant educator will focus their attention on your baby's responsiveness to stimulation.

The work the infant educator does with your child will be tailored to your child's age and level of development.

Pediatric Physical Therapist

A pediatric physical therapist will focus on your child's gross motor developments. She will be concerned with muscle tone, reflex development, movement patterns, stability, and motor development.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

These therapists are trained to look at how babies move, concentrating on the positions of shoulders, arms, and hands.

A pediatric occupational therapist will work with your baby to improve his fine motor skills. She will also help with sensory processing, or how he takes information through the senses of vision, hearing, touch, and movement.

Pediatric Speech and Language Therapist

A pediatric speech and language therapist will look at how your baby uses the muscles of his mouth and face to eat and make sounds. This is called oral motor development. She will also be a resource for concerns and problems with feeding and communication skills.

In addition to this a pediatric speech and language therapist can also evaluate your baby's responsiveness to sound and can help spot potential hearing problems.

Mental Health Professional

Mental health professionals can provide emotional support and counseling to families. Some of the issues they can focus on will include adjusting to having a baby with disabilities, what to say to other people, and how to balance your baby's needs with the rest of your family.

Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse may assist with daily medical care and the use of equipment, such as sleep apnea monitors, feeding tubes and medications.

Case Manager

Your case manager will gather information and ideas from your team of professionals and coordinate the different sources being provided. The case manager will give you an overall picture of your child's development and show you how each area of development interacts with another.

Keep in mind, however, that you are ultimately your child's case manager. You will know your child and family better than anyone else.

Go and check your local programs and find caring professionals to help you obtain the services you and your baby need.

Source:

Babies with Down Syndrome. A New Parents Guide - Edited by Karen Stray-Gundersen