When we first moved to Portland our son began exhibiting some behavioral issues (simply put, intense tantrums), we needed any form of support we could find. We were terrified that our recent move and my partners sporadic travel had unmoored our poor little toddler. I had heard of Early Intervention, but didn’t understand how it worked or whom it worked for. I did a basic Google search that sent me to the local Child Development Services (CDS) office. After an evaluation that included three wonderful CDS employees coming to our home to screen our son, (or “play”, as far as he was concerned), we were approved and then assigned an occupational therapist to meet with us for one hour a week for 32 weeks.

CDS is a state funded organization operating under the Department of Education that supports parents who have concerns with their child's development (motor, communication, behavior, cognitive, or self-care). The goal of CDS is to 'identify children with disabilities and to provide early intervention, special education, or other services'. You can call them with any question and if they think you may qualify for their services, they will set up a screening and an evaluation with you and your child. If your child qualifies, you are then allowed a certain number of hours with the appropriate support professional, be it speech and language pathologists, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and educators. These benefits are offered for children from 0-3 years of age. After the age of 3, CDS is a school-based program; support is given to children who are having issues that directly affect their ability to participate and learn in the classroom.

A friend of ours was worried when her daughter had not started crawling at the age of 6 months and through Early Intervention they received a certain number of hours of free physical therapy . Once our son turned 3 we had him re-evaluated to see if he qualified for ‘Part B Services’. He was approved enabling him to receive additional support while in a school setting. Two days a week he goes to a 3 hour preschool program which is paid for by CDS. This particular school works with CDS to prepare an Individualized Educational Plan and the teachers are super dialed in to child development issues and the management of transitional moments. His school is composed of integrated classrooms including children who are utilizing an IEP as CDS affiliated students and those who are non-CDS affiliated students.

I will be forever grateful to CDS and their incredible staff. They displayed kindness and generosity when we felt frightened, overwhelmed, and isolated. I want all families to know that this is a provided service and, if you should qualify, the benefits can be innumerable and invaluable. There is no doubt the support we felt through working with CDS  and the progress our son experienced has had tangible results for our family. However, like anything else, this did not solve all our problems we still have many difficult days.

Every state has an early intervention program.