Part C Eligibility (Part H)

Eligibility Criteria: Children ages birth through two who are developmentally delayed or are at established risk for developmental delay are eligible for early intervention servicesChildren ages birth through two who are developmentally delayed or are at established risk for developmental delay are eligible for early intervention services

Definition of developmental delay: 1. There is a discrepancy of 25% or more between chronological age after correction for prematurity, and developmental age in any one area (cognitive, physical, communication social or emotional or adaptive); or 2. The child is functioning at 1.5 standard deviations or more below the mean in any one area;

Definition of developmental delay continued: 3) Delays of at least 20% or at least 1 standard deviation below the mean in 2 or more areas are determined; or 4) Clinical judgment of the multidisciplinary team (including the professional in the area(s) of delay) concludes a developmental delay exists when specific tests are not available or when testing does not reflect the child’s actual performance.

Definition of established risk for developmental delay: Children with a diagnosed mental or physical condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay; or based on informed clinical opinion, are eligible for early intervention services. The delay may or may not be exhibited at the time of diagnosis but the natural history of the disorder includes the need for early intervention services.Children with a diagnosed mental or physical condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay; or based on informed clinical opinion, are eligible for early intervention services. The delay may or may not be exhibited at the time of diagnosis but the natural history of the disorder includes the need for early intervention services.

“At-risk for Developmental Delay” does not qualify child for services: Infants and toddlers who are identified as biological or environmental risk for developmental delay should be in the screening and tracking process in order that their development be followed as closely as possible for immediate eligibility identification as appropriate.Infants and toddlers who are identified as biological or environmental risk for developmental delay should be in the screening and tracking process in order that their development be followed as closely as possible for immediate eligibility identification as appropriate.

Informed Clinical Opinion: necessary safeguard against eligibility determination based upon isolated information or test scores alonenecessary safeguard against eligibility determination based upon isolated information or test scores alone may include:may include: –clinical interviews with parents; –observation of parent-child interaction; –information from teachers or child care providers; and –neurodevelopmental or other physical examinations

Informed Clinical Opinion Continued : Appropriate documentation of the sources and use of informed clinical opinion: 1. to provide a baseline against which to measure the progress and changing needs of the child and family over time; 2. to provide information to assure that procedural safeguards were provided in the evaluation and assessment process and the determination of eligibility.

Informed Clinical Opinion Informed clinical opinion is an opinion made by a multidisciplinary team using qualitative and quantitative information in order to determine eligibility and as a basis for planning.