As with any commitment, early intervention for your baby will involve some sacrifice. Early intervention therapy takes time, time that extends beyond the actual appointment. A true commitment to intervention takes time from you, your baby, other family members, and friends.

Schedules

Everyone has a schedule … including your baby. As a parent, you prioritize what goes into the schedule and what does not. Work, school, sports, community and religious activities, medical appointments, shopping, and self-care needs crowd the pages of planners. Look at your family's schedule, and put your baby's therapy time high on the list of priorities.

Consistent Effort

Your baby will benefit from ongoing therapy efforts. Perhaps the physical therapist and occupational therapist are working with him to reach for a toy. The activity builds muscle strength, visual focus, and the understanding that with effort he can reach the goal — his toy. Give your baby lots of opportunity to practice. Plan play time.

Look for impromptu occasions to practice the skill as well. For example, did Aunt Sally just give him a great rattle that is colorful and plays a variety of noises? First, let him examine and enjoy the rattle. Then, hold it just out of his reach. Let him use his skills to reach his goal. Following through with therapy takes consistent effort.

At Home

Mom and Dad may be away at work, but the needs of family life at home are constant. Laundry does not go away; it multiplies. Hungry families do not feed themselves. Outside activities call all members of the family. Then there is that pesky little matter of house work. Make a master plan. Divide up the work. Work together. With a plan (and a goal) the things that are really important will get done.