Early intervention services (especially those that are in-home or those that involve the entire family) offer the opportunity for lots of input.

You and your spouse will work with professionals to set up a plan that addresses your greatest concerns. It may be a high priority to your family for your toddler to learn to put on her own socks. You may be most concerned that she understands what “stop” means as you are approaching a street. Another family might be more concerned about their baby's ability to talk.

If the early intervention services are offered in your home, it is important that both parents are present initially when someone comes to work with your baby. That will give both of you the natural opportunity to talk about your goals and concerns for your baby as well as to share your observations.

This is true for other family members as well. Grandparents and siblings can often offer input that is helpful for your baby's therapy. Every therapist knows that a sibling can tell him which toy is the baby's favorite (and which she will likely “work” with).