If you have concerns about your baby, call the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia at 1-800-234-1448. We’re here to help.
Are you wondering what to expect of your infant or toddler?
Take a look at our CDC Developmental Milestones Brochure (English version).
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Is your child eligible for early intervention services in Virginia?
A child and family may receive early intervention supports and services if the child is:
up to three years old and has certain levels of developmental delay, differences in development and/or a diagnosed condition.
A child with a developmental delay or differences in development is not developing like other children his age, The delay or difference can be in one or more of the following areas:
- Thinking, learning, and playing - Moving, seeing, and hearing
- Understanding and using sounds, gestures and words - Developing relationships
- Taking care of one's self, including eating and dressing
A child is eligible who has a diagnosed condition that will very likely cause a developmental delay. This includes:
- Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome - Cleft lip and/or palate
- NICU stay of greater than or equal to 28 days - Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Vision and/or hearing loss
For more information on eligibility for services, click here: Practice Manual Chapter 5: Eligibility Determination
Not sure how to find your local early intervention program?
Find your city or county on the Central Directory Website.
Would you like to learn more about early intervention services in Virginia?
Click on the links below to learn about:
- What Is Early Intervention in Virginia? (video)
- “On Your Way” - Skill Building Worksheets for Families and Caregivers
- What is Early Intervention?
- Early intervention services and supports and the Principles of Early Intervention
- Seven Key Principles of Early Intervention
- Family Rights and Procedural Safeguards in Virginia
- Family support, advocacy and early intervention services at the Arc of Virginia website
- One page handout for families
- What to expect during an early intervention visit Qué esperar durante una visita de intervención temprana
- Resources
- Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Families NEW!
- Virginia’s Family Survey Data
- Videos
- 2020 Child & Family Outcomes Summary Sheet NEW!
More Information
Welcome to the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia’s section for families. I am Erin Croyle, Early Intervention Support Specialist with The Arc of Virginia. We have designed a hub for families to connect and find information and support. It is called New Path: The Support Network for Families in Early Intervention. When parents first learn their child is developing differently than expected it can be overwhelming. Our team is here to guide you on your New Path. New Path and The Arc of Virginia will help you navigate the system from the beginning and, if necessary, throughout a lifetime. We will help you understand all of the jargon. We will introduce you to other parents. We will make sure you know what your rights are. We will share success stories as well as tips for dealing with challenges.
Our team understands some of what you are facing. We are parents of children with disabilities. My son Arlo was born in 2010. My husband and I found out that he had Down syndrome when he was just a few days old. This was the most difficult time of our lives. But we quickly built a support system through our early intervention team and others. With the help of professionals and caring parents with similar challenges, we started healing and moving forward. Our expectations of what parenting would be shifted dramatically, but it is still beautiful, inspiring, and full of joy and hope.
My colleague Debra Holloway is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance at The Arc of Virginia. She is also the mother of two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Mary Grace. Her youngest, Mary Grace, has a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome. Mary Grace has difficulty moving her body the way she would like and does not communicate through speech but uses eye gaze, assistive technology to express her needs.
Mary Grace was 14 months old when she started getting EI Services. She continued in the program until she transitioned into preschool just before her third birthday. Debra says these were the most difficult years of her family’s life, but the knowledge, support, and friendship of their EI team helped them persevere and thrive. Her family’s experience prompted Debra to learn more about EI and support these services.
Please take some time to explore New Path.
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