The Developmental Systems Approach to Early Intervention

As communities struggle to address today's challenges to early intervention—including limited resources, the need for professional development, and the changing role of families—they create programs that vary dramatically in quality, approach, and organization. A more consistent, coherent, and effective early intervention system is the goal of this enlightening book, which describes a state-of-the-art, research-based developmental systems model to guide programs for children from birth to 5 years of age. You'll examine

• Three core principles of the developmental systems model. You'll learn the importance of applying a developmental framework to early intervention, integrating the services of various agencies and personnel, and maximizing inclusion in home and community life for children with disabilities.
• Practices in the United States. Leading experts help guide decision-making with both broad suggestions and specific recommendations for improving practices in key areas (see sidebar) and across diverse communities.
• Practices in other countries. Experts from other countries — including Austria, Australia, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, Italy, and Sweden — share valuable insights and relate their early intervention approaches to the developmental systems model.

You'll receive expert guidance on improving

• screening and points of access
• interdisciplinary assessment
• assessment of family characteristics and needs
• preventive intervention for children at risk
• early intervention for children with disabilities
• evaluation of program effectiveness
• transitions for children with disabilities

Designed to help administrators, policymakers, and graduate-level students effect change for many years to come, this comprehensive guide will help you create early intervention programs that are based on research but still address the needs of individual children and families.