Early Intervention Pros and Cons

In the past ten years, there has been a movement to provide Early Intervention to those children who delays and disabilities. The concept is based on the Inclusion theory of providing a rich learning and social environment for children who are below their peers in development. In doing this, a child with special needs will benefit from the structure of the classroom environment and develop social skills, fine and gross motor skills, and help enrich language development. 

Being included in the classroom with their peers, a child with special needs will be encouraged by their peers to engage in conversation, accomplish tasks, and even role play. All of these situations will benefit the child and strengthen their development of these skills. 

Not only will the child develop much needed developmental appropriate skills they will develop close relationships with their peers. Friendships will provide the most benefit to the child as they are accepted for who they are from the beginning. They will learn to navigate the classroom rules and expectations, how to respect others. 

In the classroom, the special needs child will be provided extra interventions to help them reach their developmental goals. This can be seen as a pro or a con. Usually, the child is taken away from peers at these times to work on specific tasks. This is necessary in order to reinforce the learning that takes place. These interventions should only last about 15 minutes at a time as it is important for the child to be included in all classroom activities. 

The Teacher or Assistant should be shadowing the child during group activities such as play time and center time. If the adult observes the child struggling to engage then they will need to assist and provide the child with support, either by asking questions, providing play options or giving choices.

Separation anxiety can happen as a result of any child leaving to go to a strange place. Not only with the special needs child. This can be difficult for the child, but structure and rules should be put in place for every child who goes through this. It is up to the Teacher along with the parents and assistant to provide a safe place and rules regarding this difficult time. 

Some children with special needs start early interventions around 2 1/2 years, others start at age 3. It will be up to the parents, school, and other professionals to decide what is best for the child. Early Intervention can be a wonderful experience for all.