Therapy Services in Early Intervention

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the major challenges in providing specialized therapies to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities; (b) what models of service delivery are used and why; (c) what makes the provision of therapy services go well; and (d) what strategies are used for overcoming barriers to effective services. Focus groups were conducted with early intervention therapists, nontherapist professionals, administrators, and parents. Results showed that a shortage of pediatric therapists and policy/administrative constraints caused services to be of lower quality than desired. We also found that concepts of “needing” therapy were muddled and that most people said that “more is better” as long as the quality is high enough.