Texas Early Childhood Intervention Information

You need to request an ISFP meeting. Think about exactly what you want from ECI. Read your book from ECI first. I think it is blue and white. Write down your own goals for your child. Write down how much time a day you have to spend working with Zachary. You need to prioritize your goals for yourself as much as ECI. If you are working, you may not have as much time as you would like to devote to mommy therapy.....so, you have to have priorities. If you are not sure about goals, throw out some ideas here and we will help you.

ECI is for training parents to do the therapy on a daily or every few days basis. The therapy that ECI provides is a training opportunity for parents or caregivers as much as therapy for the child. Since Zachary's therapy has been at daycare, I would guess that you are not getting the benefit of this training. It is my understanding that ECI should be able to provide in-home therapy after you are home from work. You might think about this option. There are many activities that can be done at bath time and at bed time....you just incorporate them into your routine. Diaper changing time has been our routine range of motion and stretching time. We also count and sing rhythmic songs while we do this.

During the ISFP meeting, you need to ask what the plan will be when one of the therapist is unable to come. Then, you want that in writing. They do have a policy about making up visits that they cancel for any reason. I believe that they are to make up missed visits within a week. If you cancel a therapy, they are not required to make it up.

You can seek outside therapy if you wish. You can keep ECI music therapy and use private PT and/or OT...etc. You can also get PT,OT or Speech from ECI and private IF and only IF the goals are totally different. If ECI is working on increased tone in his trunk and private is working solely on feet and leg mobility, you can get both.

Copyright 2000 compiled by Judy Bartlett from TX ECI booklet and therapists for KidPower Family Support Resource.