Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Early Intervention is a team approach with services provided to children who have a vision or hearing loss, a developmental delay of 25% or greater or have a diagnosed condition that will result in developmental delay of 25% or greater or have a diagnosed condition that will result in developmental delay. AIDB is a part of Alabama's Early Intervention System and provides services to eligible children from birth to 3 years of age. Services are offered at no cost to families and including complete developmental evaluation/assessment to determine the child's present level of development. All services are provided according to the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and may include:
- Health Services
- Interpreter Services
- Social Work Services
- Assistive Technology
- Nursing Services
- Nutrition Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Vision Services
- Physical Therapy
- Psychological Services
- Audiology Services
- Service Coordination (Case Management)
- Special Instruction
- Medical Services for Diagnostic Purposes
- Speech/Language Pathology/Therapy
- Transportation and Related Costs
- Family Training, Counseling and Home Visits
- Sign Language and Cued Speech
These services are provided in settings where natural learning opportunities occur - in the home, at daycare, at the park, and other appropriate settings in the community. A Service Coordinator will help families identify and access needed services.
Through Early Intervention, parents learn to take an active role in guiding decisions that will affect the entire family as well as the child with the disability/delay. Early Intervention is family-focused. Helping children and their families gain skill, confidence and independence is our main goal.
AIDB specializes in vision and hearing loss. So much of what children learn is based on hearing and seeing. A loss of vision or hearing has an immediate effect on how a child learns. Deaf, blind, and deaf-blind infants and toddlers need help from their families to learn about the world, prepare to enter school and become independent. AIDB provides caring professionals, trained in the areas of vision and hearing, to help parents work with their child as they go about their normal daily routines.
Remember the earlier infants and toddlers receive intervention, the greater the chances of maximizing their potential. With our help, parents across central Alabama are meeting the challenge of giving their children a bright beginning.
If you know children who may be eligible for Early Intervention Services, please call the:
Child Find Hotline: 1-800-543-3098.
