Introduction
The early intervention program (EI) was established by
federal law in 1986 and subsequently reauthorized as Part C
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It
is intended to promote the earliest possible identification and
intervention for developmental delay and to reduce or prevent
later costly special service needs. The population served
is infants and toddlers birth through 35 months of age [1].
Participation by states is optional; however, by 1994 every
state and the District of Columbia had implemented a
statewide EI Program. Referred children receive a multidisciplinary
developmental evaluation and, if found eligible,
an array of services as needed including, among others,
physical, occupational and speech-language therapy, special
instruction, and family support. There is increasing evidence
of efficacy for early intervention services to infants and
young children with developmental delay and diagnosed
disabilities [2–5