Early Intervention Services

Ages: Birth through 3 years of age
In-home Services
 

Early Intervention Services (birth-3) are typically provided in the home, where Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI) work directly with parents and children, using a family-centered curriculum to give them the best possible start, reach developmental milestones, and prepare them for school-aged programs. The Early Intervention Program () serves children in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties. 

If a baby who has limited vision is not helped to understand what she is seeing, she may stop using her vision altogether. Ninety percent of learning is visual observation, so it is imperative children who are blind or visually impaired receive early intervention services that are unique to their needs, allowing them to reach the same developmental milestones as their typically developing peers. This is where Overbrook's Early Intervention Program comes in. 

The mission of the Early Intervention Program (3-5) is to strengthen and support families, teachers, and therapists of infants, toddlers, and young children who have a diagnosis of visual impairment with or without additional challenges. We encourage these children to explore their environments through play and functional activities, and we empower their families with the knowledge and resources needed to be advocates for their children.

The EIO program teaches parents how to understand and work with their children so they can help them reach important developmental milestones. OSB provides services in the family’s home at their convenience, with evening and weekend hours available. The program also provides comprehensive resources and support for families as well as introduces them to other families who are also raising a child who is blind, visually impaired or living with other challenges.

Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment (TVIs) focus on family-centric and visual adaptation techniques to achieve each child’s individual goals. Lessons are developed based on the family’s daily routine and traditions and focus on everyday activities that the child is most likely to encounter with his or her family. Teachers work closely with the family to determine the child’s needs and teach the family how to work with their child to develop important skills.

In addition to providing individualized lesson plans, teachers work with parents and caregivers to navigate the often-confusing health care realm and connect them with helpful resources so that they have the tools to advocate for their child. As a parent new to raising a child who is blind or visually impaired, the medical world can be overwhelming. We help parents or caregivers understand the paperwork and processes so that their child receives the care that he or she needs.