Leading Health Indicator 4 Early Identification and Intervention Florida 2010 Goal for Children and Youth To identify and provide essential preventive, evaluative, and early intervention services for at risk pregnant women, infants, and young children aged 0 to 5 with high risk and potentially disabling conditions

“Early intervention” is a term applying to educational and therapeutic programs that seek to identify infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental disabilities or conditions that place a child at risk for developmental disabilities. The goal is to provide services that will maximize development and will support families as they care for children with special needs. Early intervention can also apply to preschool children through age 5. Another effort to lessen the impact of developmental disabilities and established conditions is to provide specialty services for pregnant women at risk for a poor birth outcome. Brain development research has helped further the understanding of the importance of critical periods to development and learning.^{(1, 2)}   By school age, over 11 percent of children are identified with special needs and receive exceptional education. Because disabilities and developmental delays may not be as visible in the early years, valuable time is often lost. Florida's early intervention program in Children's Medical Services seeks to identify children early and to reach the estimated 5 percent of infants and toddlers who have an established condition and are at risk of a developmental delay.

Figure 28: Trends in Numbers of Florida Infants and Toddlers Receiving Early Intervention Services, 1997-2001

Source: Children's Medical Services, Early Intervention Program; US Bureau of the Census and Office of Economic Demographic Research, Florida Legislature

Early identification and receipt of appropriate early intervention services increases the chance for preventing an at risk condition from becoming disabling and can prevent the development of secondary conditions for children with disabilities. Children and families may learn how to adapt their physical, social and emotional environment so that a child can live, learn and play in the least restricted environment.^(3-6)   Young children with known established conditions need services in settings with other children without disabilities. Early childhood program staff, with support and training, can reduce their fear of working with children who may have health conditions and appear more vulnerable.

Young children with disabilities and conditions which place them at risk for developmental delays are at greater risk of child abuse, and their families are at greater risk for divorce and suicide.⁽⁷⁾   While raising young children is challenging for anyone, families with an infant who has special health care needs often feel overwhelmed, frightened, a personal failure and helpless. They are often unable to find supports such as preschool or child care to allow them time to go to school, work or even go shopping. Early intervention can help families learn to cope and take charge as the most important partner in the child's developmental intervention plan.