Early intervention is a federally funded system of services for children under 3 with developmental delays. Learn what it covers, how eligibility works, and how to refer your child today.
Early intervention is a federally funded system of services for children under age 3 who have a developmental delay or disability—or who are at significant risk of one. If your child is younger than 3 and you are navigating an autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluation, or have recently received a diagnosis, early intervention services may be available right now, before you've figured out everything else.
This is one of the most time-sensitive parts of the autism and ADHD journey. The eligibility window closes the day your child turns 3.
Early intervention (EI) refers to services delivered under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that requires every state to provide developmental support to eligible children from birth through age 2. Services are typically provided in the child's natural environment—at home, at daycare, wherever the child spends their time.
EI services can include speech-language therapy, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), developmental instruction, and family support services. The specific mix depends on your child's needs and is outlined in a document called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which is different from the Individualized Education Program (IEP) your child may receive after turning 3.
Eligibility for early intervention is determined by your state, not by a specific diagnosis. Most states use one or both of the following criteria:
Diagnosed condition: A child with a diagnosis known to result in developmental delays—such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—automatically qualifies in most states, regardless of how delayed they currently appear.
Documented developmental delay: A child who tests significantly behind age-level expectations in one or more areas (communication, motor skills, cognition, social-emotional development, adaptive behavior) may qualify even without a formal diagnosis. The delay threshold varies by state—typically 25–33% behind in one area or a smaller delay across multiple areas.
ADHD is less commonly the sole basis for EI eligibility in very young children, but if your child has co-occurring delays or a dual diagnosis, those findings can support a referral.
If you are still waiting for a formal evaluation, you can and should refer your child to early intervention now. EI has its own evaluation process, which is free and separate from private or hospital-based evaluations. For more on what to expect from the broader evaluation process, see what happens during an autism evaluation.
Contact your state's early intervention program directly—you do not need a doctor's referral, though your pediatrician can also make the referral. A quick search for "[your state] early intervention program" will get you to the right contact. Once you reach out, the program has 45 days to complete an evaluation and, if your child qualifies, develop an IFSP.
Do not wait until you have a diagnosis in hand. The referral process takes time, and the eligibility window is fixed.
Early intervention services end at age 3. At that point, children who continue to need support transition to services through the public school system under Part B of IDEA—which is where IEP eligibility enters the picture. Your EI team will typically help coordinate this transition, called the "Part C to Part B transition," before your child's third birthday.
If your child is under 3, this is one of the most important steps to act on immediately. Start your personalized roadmap on What's Next Health to see early intervention referral steps alongside everything else your family needs to do right now—in the right order.
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