The Early Intervention Committee of DSHA was formed to address the needs of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists working in preschools, daycares and homes in our community. In the past, committee members have planned evening meetings including “Traveling Through Transition” with a panel discussion and networking opportunities for therapists with children transitioning from early intervention services to schools.
New members and ideas for meeting topics are welcomed. Please email: dsha@37.60.248.149 with suggestions.
Early Intervention news
Speech-Language Information for Transition to IEP Form:
A working group of SLPs serving the Birth-to-five population convened in the first half of 2019 to develop a “Speech-Language Information for Transition to IEP Form.” This form was developed for LICENSED SLP use. The working group’s hope was that this form will play a positive role in ensuring a smooth transition for children at their third birthday by opening up the lines of communication between the Birth-to-Three (EI) SLP and the School-based SLP. The form has been designed to easily communicate the most up-to-date picture of the transitioning child’s speech/language skills in preparation for the Eligibility/IEP-development phase of the transition process. The form is meant to be a supplement to progress updates, so if the content of current progress updates capture the information contained on this form, there may be no need to use the form. It is suggested that the form be completed and shared with the school-based program at least 60 days prior to the child’s third birthday. Completion is VOLUNTARY. To access the form, please click here.
Too Small to Fail Initiative:
The Too Small to Fail initiative is a partnership between Next Generation and the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation that is committed to helping individuals, communities and businesses take action to improve the health and well-being of America’s children ages zero to five.
They’re using social media outlets to share early childhood developmental milestones, tips for improving and increasing language skills, and are working with Univision to target the language and literacy gap in Latino children. Lots of focus on helping Spanish speaking families, currently only one up-and-running/hands-on program in Tulsa.
Improving Communication Using “Lena”:
Providence, RI – Project called Providence Talks is targeting low socioeconomic families and Spanish speaking families to reduce knowledge gap using a recording device called “Lena.” Lena records and analyzes how many words are spoken to the child in a day and also records conversational turn taking. Family and teacher then discuss strategies for improving communication based on the recordings. Program reports that all recordings are erased as soon as they are downloaded and analyzed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/26/us/trying-to-close-a-knowledge-gap-wor…
Autism in Early Intervention:
Most recent CDC numbers show 1 in 68 diagnosed with autism in 2010. ASHA blog response: SLPs need to learn to differentially diagnose between autism and new DSM-5 diagnosis of “social communication disorder.” However there is currently minimal assessment, treatment, and reimbursement for SCD – so we early intervention SLPs need to develop these as well as assist fellow practitioners/team members in the correct dx of ASD. ASHA is encouraging earlier dx of both disorders, around age 2. Also recommending increased education for Black and Latino communities as there is a gap in autism diagnoses when compared to white children.
http://blog.asha.org/2014/03/31/skyrocketing-autism-numbers-a-call-to-ac…”
