Early Intervention and COVID-19: Advice for Parents of Children Ages 0-3 Whose Services Are Interrupted

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With new restrictions in place due to COVID-19, parents and caregivers of children ages 0–3 who were receiving early intervention services by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) may be concerned about their child's progress during this time. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers this advice to families whose services have been interrupted:

Communicate with your service coordinator. Check in to see if services can continue virtually for the time being (if so, ask what technology you'll need and what paperwork you'll need to fill out). See if your SLP will be available by phone/email to answer questions and offer suggestions, even if formal sessions aren't taking place (note that some SLPs may be restricted from doing this, even if they'd like to help in this way). Ask if changes to your child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) are needed—and, if so, how you can work with the rest of the IFSP team to make those changes. Let them know the best way to provide you with information (phone, email, video, websites, etc.).

Trust yourself. You know your child best and love your child the most, and your child trusts you more than anyone else. Follow your instincts on what your child needs and which aspects of daily activities and routines are most conducive to their progress—and to overall speech and language development.

Remember your parent training. Consider the strategies and interactions you already know work well and what you are doing to foster communication development. Write them down. If you need more guidance, see if you and your SLP can develop a plan together.

Let real life be the guide. Young children learn best in the context of real-life activities and with the people who are most important to them. Weave communication interactions and goals into everyday routines and activities such as mealtime, bath time, changing time, playtime, and household chores.

Follow your child's lead. Respond to your child's interests and communication attempts, including coos, gestures, and words. Build on their strengths.

Keep a log. Write down successes, challenges, and questions to share with your SLP. Record the activities you'd like feedback on or the ones you want to highlight since your last session. Note whether any of the original priorities or goals you shared have shifted or changed.

Use credible resources. Rely on trustworthy resources for supporting speech, language, and social communication development. Familiarize yourself with developmental milestones by age, and track your child's progress. Ask your SLP for suggestions, and visit http://www.asha.org/public to get information for families.

Engaging in early intervention services is a choice. This uncertain time has brought additional work and home responsibilities. It's okay to say that you need to cancel services if virtual or other modified services are not a good fit for your family. Talk with your SLP or service coordinator about adapting service delivery so it better fits your situation.

Find more tips for encouraging your child's communication development at home, and information about speech and language milestones, in the Communicating With Baby toolkit: https://identifythesigns.org/communicating-with-baby-toolkit/.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 211,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders. http://www.asha.org

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SOURCE ASHA