Do you have an infant or toddler who is enrolled in early intervention? Or are you looking for more information about the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia? This page is a starting place to help link parents to information about early intervention supports and services and answer their questions about the early intervention process.
FAQs for Families
What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is a system of supports and services available to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. According to the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia:
Early Intervention supports families of infants and toddlers, ages birth to three years, with developmental delays and disabilities. Children learn best with people they know and in the places they spend most of their time. Early Intervention professionals help families build on the things they do every day to support their child’s learning and development in order to reach their goals for their child.
The I&TC of VA has developed several resources with information for families:
- Brochure: What is Early Intervention? – Parents and Professionals Working Together to Help Babies Develop and Learn (English, Spanish)
- One-Page Handouts:
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities also provides an Overview of Early Intervention (external website) and defines key terms, such as eligibility and developmental delay.
What is Early Intervention in Virginia? (YouTube, video)
VA's Integrated Training Collaborative
This video features Virginia service providers, families, and administrators as they describe early intervention. Video clips and photos are also featured to help viewers understand what early intervention looks like and why it works.
What is the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia?
The I&TC of VA is the name of the early intervention program in Virginia that serves infants and toddlers, ages birth to 36 months, who have developmental delays, disabilities, and/or atypical development, and their families. I&TC programs are available in all cities and counties across the state.
For information about the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia, visit their homepage at www.infantva.org (external website) or their Information for Families (external website) page.
How do I refer my child for early intervention services?
You can refer your child to early intervention by calling your local Infant & Toddler Connection program. Review the Making A Referral – Who & How and Where? (external website) document for more information on how to make a referral and how to find the contact information for your local program. Or, you can call 1-800-234-1448 for assistance with making a referral.
I’m concerned about my child’s development but not sure if he needs early intervention. What should I do?
You can refer your child to early intervention anytime you have a concern or would like to have your child’s development screened or evaluated. You can also talk to your pediatrician or family doctor to discuss your concerns and ask that he/she help you determine if a referral is needed.
How do I find out about resources in my community for my child and family?
Talking with your child’s pediatrician is a great start. You can also search for resources on the Virginia Navigator (external website) site.