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Top 5 Benefits of Early Intervention
According to the CDC, developmental disabilities affect 1 in 6 children in the United States. Developmental delays, often due to conditions noticed at birth, special needs, or delays that occur in the early years, are more common than most people know. And, with the right therapies, provided in your child’s early years, many of these developmental delays can be addressed.
But for parents, it’s scary to think that your child might be behind in any way, and it can be intimidating to know where to start when it comes to finding help. It’s important to know that early intervention services are used to support children and families just like yours across the country. Educators and specialists know that early intervention works, and most states, including South Carolina, make early intervention services available at no additional cost to you.
If you’re just learning about what early intervention services are, here are the top 5 benefits these services can provide for your child and your family
01. Early Intervention Works
The first, and maybe best benefit of early intervention? It works! Early intervention has long been proven effective. With the right therapies, provided as early as possible, early intervention services can change a child’s developmental path and help them gain the cognitive, social, communication, and physical skills they’ll need to succeed throughout their lives.
The sooner you involve early interventionists, the better. The best time to hone the neural circuits that control your child’s cognitive abilities and behavior are between 0-5 years. In that time, early intervention services can help establish those neural connections while your child’s brain is still developing. According to the CDC, “Early intervention services can change a child’s developmental path and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.”
02. You Get to Learn How to Best Support Your Child Now
Early intervention is important not just for your child, but also for your family. When you seek early intervention services, you’re getting the help your family needs to better support your child as they learn and grow.
With the proper strategies and tools in place now, you will be able to create an environment that supports your child’s success as they move into their school years. What’s more, it’s been shown that children who benefit from early intervention services are often able to catch up to developmental milestones, getting them right back on track when it’s time to start school.
03. Early Intervention Helps Establish a Routine for Your Child
Children thrive in environments where they have a routine they are comfortable with and boundaries they understand. Early intervention services help your child establish that routine from your own home, where your child feels comfortable taking on new things and trying new activities and strategies. Early interventionists also work with you, the parent, to help you gain the resources and knowledge you need to be able to provide that safe, comfortable routine and learning environment for your child.
04. Your Child Gets to Learn Through Play!
Early intervention means that specialists like the team at About Play come to your home and provide a range of play activities and practices tailored to your child’s specific needs. Early intervention isn’t excruciating work for your child — it’s a specific type of play that they’ll be excited to learn and grow into! Since early intervention services take place in your home, your child is able to learn where they are most comfortable, making early intervention a genuinely fun playtime that your child will benefit from.
05. South Carolina Early Intervention Services are Free
In the state of South Carolina, early intervention services are available at no cost to your family. If you think your child could benefit from early intervention, now is the time to seek support. To get started, you simply need to make a referral for your child through BabyNet. From there, the South Carolina Early Intervention Program will walk you through the process, where you can choose an early interventionist that’s best suited to your child’s needs. Again, these services are offered at no additional cost to you. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, it’s always best to submit a referral and schedule an initial home visit.
Early intervention is proven to help your child succeed as they learn and grow. If you think your child may need additional support, About Play is always here to help! One of South Carolina’s leading early interventionists, the About Play team is so excited to meet you and your child. Give us a call at 803-542-7035 or contact us online today to learn more about how we can get involved.
If you live in South Carolina and think your infant or child is experiencing developmental delays, we can help.
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