After a child is referred to early intervention services—whether by a doctor, social worker, or parent—and the referral has been made to the state early intervention program, we are ready for the next step: the early intervention evaluation. Your early intervention agency, like White Glove, will schedule this assessment, one of the most critical steps in getting help for a child. It enables us to directly assess the child’s development and determine the services they require. Many parents and providers wonder how this process works and how services are decided. In this article, we will take a deeper look into the early intervention evaluation process and the role it plays in getting services.
Why Do We Assess Your Child?
While we gather basic concerns from parents and providers, the early intervention program requires a thorough evaluation. On a practical level, this is important because it helps us observe the child in action. Very often, a child may show concerns in one area that may actually stem from other reasons. For instance, a child might exhibit signs of communication challenges and speech delays, which parents may assume require speech therapy. However, these issues could be linked to psychological factors. Additionally, there are instances where physical problems necessitate occupational therapy (OT) or speech-language pathology (SLP), and in some cases, the child may benefit from both therapies.
When Do We Assess Your Child?
The Early Intervention NY program mandates that evaluations be conducted within 30 days of receiving a referral. As soon as we are notified that a case has been opened under the program, a service coordinator will work to assign an evaluator to address these concerns. The service coordinator will contact the parents to work out a time that works for them.
Who Will Assess Your Child?
There will always be two evaluators present. One will be a special education teacher who serves as the primary evaluator, gauging all aspects of the child’s development. The second evaluator will be a professional in the specific area of concern raised by the parents. Say, if a parent has a speech concern, there will be a special instructor and a speech-language therapist involved in the evaluation.
Where Do We Assess Your Child?
The parents can choose to have the evaluations conducted in the most suitable environment. Oftentimes, it’s the child’s home, or it could be a family member’s home, or at the child’s daycare, or any location the parents determine best.
What Will Evaluators Look Out For?
The special educator will focus on all five areas of development, categorized as follows.
Cognitive Development: Cognitive development refers to the growth and maturation of a child’s ability to think, learn, and problem-solve. It involves the development of skills such as memory, attention, reasoning, and understanding concepts.
Communication Skills: This area encompasses the ability to express oneself and to understand others. It includes verbal communication (speaking and listening) as well as non-verbal communication (body language, gestures, and facial expressions).
Gross Motor Skills: Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body responsible for movements such as walking, running, jumping, and climbing. Contributing factors will include body coordination, balance, and strength.
Fine Motor Skills: Fine motor skills apply to the smaller muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers, and are crucial for tasks that require precision, such as writing, drawing, and manipulating small objects.
Social-Emotional Development: This area focuses on how children understand themselves and interact with others. Are they able to recognize and manage emotions, develop empathy, build relationships, and navigate social situations.
How Do We Evaluate a Child?
During the evaluation, the special educator will ask questions and observe the child to gather information. The evaluation process will vary depending on the child’s age. The educator will interview the parents to gather information and observe the child during playtime to consider developmental milestones appropriate for their age.
For example, when assessing a six-month-old, the educator may check if the child can roll over from their stomach to their back and vice versa, grasp toys or objects, follow a moving object, and respond to games like peek-a-boo. However, when evaluating a two-year-old, the educator will look for the ability to follow simple instructions, engage in imaginative play, walk independently, speak in short phrases, and other age-appropriate cues.
What Happens After the Eval?
After the evaluation, the evaluators will prepare a detailed report with recommendations, which will be reviewed by the state early intervention program to determine the necessary services and interventions based on the child’s needs.
Early Intervention Evaluator Opportunities
Are you a quick thinker with a passion for working with children? Do you have strong attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills? If so, we want to hear from you! White Glove is hiring for early intervention evaluators throughout New York.
Early Intervention Evaluation Roles We are Hiring For:
- Physical Therapy Evaluators
- Speech-Language Therapy Evaluators
- Occupational Therapy Evaluators
- Special Instruction Evaluators
Requirements:
- A master’s degree in your field.
- At least one year of experience in early intervention evaluations.
- Familiarity with early intervention testing tools.
Additional Training Provided:
We offer a complimentary evaluation and assessment course to help enhance your skills.
Sound like you?
Join our dynamic evaluation team! Complete this form to apply for our White Glove early intervention evaluator roles and enjoy a rewarding career upgrade!
