The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals

This hands-on resource uses stories of families in early intervention to illustrate key concepts and provides checklists that readers can use to assess their experiences in early intervention.

This guidebook on family–professional partnerships has been used as a go-to early intervention resource in university coursework, for inservice professional development, and as a support to families in (or considering) early intervention.

This new edition has been completely revised to reflect recent research and respond to feedback that the author accumulated from users of the first edition, including practicing professionals and university instructors. With a focus on how families and professionals can collaborate effectively so that infants and toddlers (0–3) learn, grow, and thrive, chapters address: child learning and development, family functioning and priorities, early intervention as a support and not a substitute, and planning “what’s next” after early intervention. Specific components of early intervention—evaluation and assessment, program planning, intervention implementation, service coordination, and transition—are also discussed.

New for the Second Edition:

• The most recent research and related implications for practice.
• Content directly aligned with new recommended practices of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children.
• Two versions of the same scenario to clarify the differences between hoped-for and usual practices.
• Specific tips that the family–professional partnership can implement right away.
• A new chapter that describes how families and professionals, university instructors, and inservice providers can use the Guidebook.

Bonnie Keilty is associate professor and program coordinator of early childhood special education at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY).

"This book is chock-full of 'insider information' to guide families and professionals in their shared quest--to further the development of the children."

--Building Blocks: A Special Needs Magazine (of first edition)

"Bonnie Keilty’s revised guidebook is my go-to source with families, professionals and students. The newest edition expands upon an already exceptional book with the most recent policy and evidence-based practice recommendations. This is a valuable resource that ensures the family has a voice and is the center of EI services. I can’t keep enough copies in my library. "
—Susan Fowler, director, Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse

“Supporting and empowering parents to help their infants and toddlers with delays and/or disabilities to learn and grow is key to future successes. Bonnie’s Keilty’s comprehensive work on the new edition of The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals will help to insure that Part C Early Intervention around the country will stay focused on its work with and for families.
—Roxane Romanick, Founding Board Member Early Intervention Family Alliance