Describes a program that addresses social, emotional, and behavior issues along with the developmental problems of infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Steps the early-intervention program in Montgomery County, Maryland, took to incorporate infant mental-health services are discussed and case studies are provided. (CR)

Discusses the multiple medical, dental, therapeutic, psychosocial, and early intervention needs faced by children with cleft lip and cleft plate during the first three years of life. The physiological development of children with these disabilities is described and the need for interdisciplinary team involvement is emphasized. (Author/CR)

Discusses factors affecting the ability of states and local programs to seek and secure reimbursement for occupational and physical therapy services in early childhood programs. Cost concerns in early childhood are addressed, and strategies for ensuring programmatic success in securing reimbursement for such services are presented. (Author/CR)

This article offers an alternative to the term "natural environment" in which delivery of individualized services consistent with family needs and values is of first-order importance. It is argued that the use of authentic intervention activities will produce better outcomes than focusing on placements that must include chronologically aged peers.…

Provides a coherent framework to help states examine their personnel development systems and provides steps for the development and implementation of an integrated service delivery and personnel development system for early intervention. A model consisting of 12 key elements for planning and implementing a comprehensive system is presented. (CR)

Four tenets of dynamic systems theory related to motor development in infants are identified: coupling of perception and action; development of adaptable and functional movement synergies; phase shifts in which new movement patterns are explored and selected; and identification of the constraining and facilitating forces of motor development. Four…

This article describes a family-centered assessment and intervention approach that empowers and enables families of young children with disabilities in the selection and use of assistive technology. Included in the discussion are key characteristics of parent/professional partnerships and effective, helpful practices that facilitate the level of…

Discusses the deterioration of the health of international adoptees due to increased placements of children from economically troubled countries and a shift from foster to institutional care prior to adoption. The role of early-intervention programs in identifying problems, rehabilitating the child, and supporting the family is discussed.…

Drawing on interviews with six American and Korean mothers, this article explores the range and coalescence of ideas that mothers from different cultures have about interactions with their 12-month-old babies in social interactive play and joint play with objects. Differences and similarities about the mothers' ideas about interaction are…

This article discusses the importance of the interdisciplinary, family-centered approach to early intervention and the critical relevance of the knowledge and skills of pediatric physical therapists to remediate complex impairments of young children while meeting family needs. It presents advance competencies in pediatric physical therapy for…

This article addresses issues in parent-child attachment, identifies the implications such attachment relations have for child development, and provides strategies to facilitate optimal parent-child attachment. Strategies for early child educators include speaking up and helping if awkward attachment relations are sensed and honoring and affirming…

A survey of 73 early intervention service providers and 193 parents of infants/toddlers with disabilities was conducted to determine differences in perceptions of the level of service provided, the importance of the service, and ideal program components. Substantial family/provider discrepancies were found in perceptions of services being…

This article discusses how clinicians can work with parents of young children with disabilities who may themselves have mental health disorders. Recommendations are provided for an initial approach to parents with mental health challenges, referral to psychiatric personnel, establishing trust and rapport, and sustaining a relationship with parents…

This article presents the construction process and an analysis of the EPASSEI (European Parent Satisfaction Scale about Early Intervention). The 57-item scale is based on the ideological postulates of the manifest of EURLYAID. The answers of 584 European families indicate that in general, parents are satisfied with early intervention. (Contains…

Examines early-intervention entitlements currently extended by all states. Perspectives from the legislative process, federal and state implementation, judicial interpretation, and professional views are included. Distinctions among the key provisions for differing early intervention service systems are presented, legal cases are reviewed, and…