Early Steps offers early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) with significant developmental delay(s) or a condition that places them at risk of developmental delay(s). These services are provided by contracted local Early Steps offices across the state of Florida. Early Steps provides families or caregivers with services to enhance their child’s development so they are ready to learn when they enter school.
Early Steps helps infants and toddlers who have special needs to be:
• Involved in as many of their family’s daily activities as possible,
• Supported in participating in community activities,
• Included in playing and learning with children without disabilities on a regular basis.
Anyone can refer a child to Early Steps – doctor, hospital, daycare, family member, friend, etc. To be enrolled in Early Steps, your child must first be found eligible. If your child is eligible, a thorough assessment will be made of your child’s skills and abilities in the following areas:
PHYSICAL—Health, hearing, vision
COGNITIVE—Thinking, learning, problem solving
GROSS & FINE MOTOR SKILLS—Moving, walking, grasping, coordination
COMMUNICATION—Babbling, languages, speech, conversation
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL—Playing and interacting with others
ADAPTIVE DEVELOPMENT—Self-help skills, i.e. feeding, toileting, dressing
These assessments help identify services that will benefit your child. Services are provided during your child’s daily activities so that natural learning opportunities are maximized while still meeting your child’s everyday needs.
Early Steps will put together a team of service providers to address your child’s needs. This team will develop an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) based on family/caregiver outcomes and goals. The Early Steps team also selects a primary service provider (PSP) for each child as a central point of contact. This person can be a therapist, other licensed healing arts professional or an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS). The PSP is selected based on the needs of the child and family, the IFSP goals, and expertise in the areas of needed support. The role of PSP can change based on the changing needs of the family/caregivers or the focus of the current goal.
Florida’s Early Steps is a partnership with providers and families to deliver services that support children’s well-being and development where they live, learn and play. As parents and caregivers, you are your child’s first teachers. Research tells us that everyday experiences and situations provide children with continuous learning opportunities that encourage their development. You are the first to know your child’s needs and strengths and are best at providing daily support during every day routines.
Early Steps takes a partnered approach to early intervention by providing families and caregivers with training and support to increase learning opportunities for children. Family members can use routines to encourage their child’s development of skills and independence. Each child grows at an individual pace, but research shows that a child’s first three years are the most important time for learning. Beginning interventions early puts your child on the right path to learn and develop at their full potential.
Who to contact if you have concerns about your child’s development:
Gulf Central Early Steps - (941) 487-5400 or Toll-Free (866) 510-5594
(Serves six counties – Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota)
