Especially for Educators and Professionals

Educators and professionals who provide early intervention services to families have an enormous responsibility. In many cases, families will be learning about their child's disability as they go along. Trying to make decisions about what is best for their child with a limited knowledge base is challenging. Early intervention professionals can provide support to make this process less stressful for families.

This page contains links to information and resources for educators and professionals in the early intervention field.

Support for Families

"Family-Centered Services: Early Intervention Service Providers' Constructed Meanings" is an article from ERIC describing components of family-centered services and identifying implications for early intervention programs.
Family-Centered Services

"Early Intervention: The Parent Perspective" is a wishlist for early interventionists, from Hands and Voices.
A Parent's Perspective

To assist educators and other professionals in developing family-school partnerships, the Clerc Center has developed a document,  "We are Equal Partners: Recommended Practices for Involving Families in Their Child's Educational Program." (PDF)

Resources for Early Intervention Specialists

The Early Childhood Research Institute on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service (CLAS) identifies, evaluates, and promotes effective and appropriate early intervention practices and preschool practices that are sensitive and respectful to children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Their website has resources for professionals working with families of deaf children.
CLAS Institute

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) supports the implementation of the early childhood provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Its mission is to strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through five) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate, and family-centered supports and services.
NECTAC

Working in the Early Intervention Field

The Personnel Center describes the early intervention field as a career.
Early Intervention as a Career

The National Association for the Deaf identifies skills and credentials that early interventionists working with deaf and hard of hearing children should have.
Skills and Credentials

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