The Fayette County Board of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention (EI) team works with children, and their families, birth to 3 years old who have a diagnosed medical condition or developmental delay to enhance the child’s development through everyday learning opportunities and routines.
Early Intervention services are provided in the child’s natural environment (i.e. their home, daycare, park, grocery store) and are centered on the interests, strengths and priorities of the child and family.
The Fayette County Board of DD employs an early intervention team consisting of: Service Coordinators, Developmental Specialists, a Speech Therapist, Nurse, Occupational and Physical Therapists. The team coaches families with strategies to build confidence and competence in raising their children.
EI referrals can be made via phone (1-800-755-GROW), fax or online at https://ochids.childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/public/refer. They can be made by a variety of sources including hospitals, pediatricians, home visitors, daycare providers, and/or family members.
The Fayette County Board of Developmental Disabilities works collaboratively with many agencies as well as the 3 local school districts to support children through developmental milestones as they transition to preschool.
We also offer Playgroups at the center to add social interaction with peers, an opportunity to enjoy new activities, and to engage with organized, planned outings with our Developmental team.
Our ADEP (Autism Diagnosis Education Project) Program continues to be the strongest and most active among all 88 Ohio counties. We are so proud to offer this opportunity to our Early Intervention families who are interested in moving forward with an autism evaluation for their child. Our Early Intervention team works closely with OCALI to ensure a high-quality, family-centered evaluation process. The program is led by a dedicated Developmental Specialist who has completed Vanderbilt training to administer the ADOS evaluation—and who brings a unique and compassionate perspective as a parent who has personally been through the diagnostic journey with her own child. We also partner with Dr. Fitton of ABC Pediatrics for diagnostic services. Now entering its third year, our program remains one of our most popular offerings, valued by families who appreciate receiving the same level of care and professionalism they might find at a larger diagnostic site, without ever having to leave the county.
Additional services provided by the local Early Intervention program include certified lactation consultants, training in infant massage techniques, newborn behavioral observation, early childhood mental health consultant, as well as vision & hearing services.
