Services Offered
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Special Education Itinerant Teacher Services
- Teacher of the Visually Impaired
- Teacher of the Deaf
- School Psychology/Counseling
- Core Evaluations
- Supplemental Evaluations
Our professionals are specifically trained in early childhood testing and evaluation. Typically a multidisciplinary team (more than one professional) conducts the evaluation on a date, time and location preferable to the parent. A meeting will take place immediately following with the service coordinator or be scheduled at a later date. The team is responsible for the explanation of all tests used, findings, a child’s strengths and needs. Special services may be recommended dependent on the determination of the team and the service coordinator. In this event an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be developed to be used for implementation and coordination of services.
The evaluation encompasses functional areas related to: cognitive ability, language and communication, adaptive, social-emotional and motor development. These are the areas tested in order to determine a child’s individual needs. Evaluations include various assessment tools and strategies depending on the area of testing. The following professionals administer tests according to the request in the referral: Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist. Advanced Therapy can also test for Visual impairment (TVI), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TBD) and Special Education. Our evaluators contact the parent to discuss the process and schedule the evaluation. Testing may be done in the school setting or the home as preferred by the parent. Testing results will be discussed with the parent upon completion of assessment. A comprehensive report is mailed to the parent, school district and county of residence. The county/school district assumes all financial responsibility for these evaluations. There is no cost to the family.
At Advanced Therapy we recognize that the evaluation process can be a stressful one for families. We make every effort to fully inform the parent of the process and are available for any questions or concern throughout. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality of evaluations in a timely manner that addresses the needs of the child in a kind and respectful manner.
Approved Counties
- Albany County
- Columbia County
- Dutchess County
- Fulton County
- Greene County
- Montgomery County
- Otsego County
- Rensselaer County
- Saratoga County
- Schenectady County
- Schoharie County
What are Early Intervention Services?
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the national Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. First created by Congress in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the EIP is administered by the New York State Department of Health through the Bureau of Early Intervention. For a current list of county contacts for the NYS Early Intervention Program, click the following link http://www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/county_eip.htm
Who is eligible for Early Intervention Services?
To be eligible for services, children must be less than 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, as defined by the State, in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive.
How is eligibility decided?
Children can be referred to the NYS Early Intervention program by parents/guardians as well as your child’s physician. Contact your EIO (Early Intervention Official) for information about your local program or to refer a child. For information about the statewide program, contact the NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention at (518) 473-7016 or e-mail beipub@health.ny.gov. All children referred to the Early Intervention Official in their county of residence, have the right to a multi-disciplinary, Core evaluation (at no cost to families) that will determine a child’s eligibility for services. Your initial Early Intervention service coordinator will give you a list of evaluators. You have the right to choose any evaluator from this list. Upon your selection of an evaluator, either you or the initial service coordinator – with your permission – will call the evaluator and make an appointment for your child and family. The multi-disciplinary evaluation will help determine your child’s strengths, needs and if he/she meets the eligibility criteria for services. Criteria for services are based on your child’s developmental delays and/or diagnosed disability. Your child’s development will be measured according to the “definition of developmental delay” set by New York State.
Where are Early Intervention Services Provided?
Early intervention services can be provided in your community, to help your child take part in activities and go to places where your family spends time together. This includes a child’s home, day care center, recreational centers, or any place parents and children go for fun and support.
How do I refer my child to Early Intervention?
A municipal Early Intervention Official (EIO) designated by the chief elected official of the municipality/county administers the Early Intervention Program locally. Contact your EIO for information about your local program or to refer a child. For information about the statewide program, contact the NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention at (518) 473-7016 or e-mail beipub@health.ny.gov.
For county contacts for the Early Intervention Program, go to http://www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/county_eip.htm