What Can I Expect During My Child’s Early Intervention Assessment?

Most parents are extremely nervous about this evaluation. There is no need to be anxious. A small group of professionals, who specialize in working with families and very young children, will come to your home. The evaluation team may include a speech language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a developmental therapist, a social worker, etc. The team depends on your concerns and the suspected needs of your child.

Once at your home, the evaluation team will observe and play with your child. They will interview you, too. Don’t feel that you have to make sure that your child “performs”. Let the therapists watch, interact, and listen. After about an hour, the assessment will be complete. Then the therapists will discuss their basic findings with you.

At this point, the team may suggest that you take your child for further assessments, that you take your child for a hearing evaluation, that therapy is needed, or that everything is developing on track and nothing is required. They will go home and write reports that you will receive in about a month.