Early-Intervention Services in South Dakota
In South Dakota, children under three years of age who have developmental delays may be eligible for early-intervention services through the South Dakota Birth to Three program. The program is administered by the state Department of Education. These five steps can help you find out about how early intervention works in South Dakota and get your child started with needed services and supports.
1. Consult with your pediatrician.
According to information on the University of South Dakota site, to be eligible for early intervention in South Dakota, your child will need to have a developmental delay “at least a 1.5 standard deviation below the mean," be "born at 28 weeks gestation or less," or have "a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delays. Determinations of developmental delay shall be based on medical diagnoses, including Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities; sensory impairments, including vision and hearing; inborn errors of metabolism; microcephaly; severe attachment disorders, including failure to thrive; seizure disorders; and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome." Your doctor should be knowledgeable about these requirements and able to make the referral to Birth to Three or give you the information necessary to do so. The importance of early intervention and the availability of these services is a good reason to urge your doctor to move past the "wait and see" phase and toward an identification of problems and needed therapies.
2. Call the Birth to Three program to request help for your child, if your doctor or another professional has not done this for you. The phone number is 800-305-3064 or 605-773-3678, and the staff member who answers should be able to get you started in applying to the program or answer any questions you our your family members may have about it. You might also contact South Dakota Parent Connection to talk to a parent educator about what you need to know to successfully advocate for your child, in early intervention and beyond.
3. Your child will be evaluated by a team including speech, physical, and occupational therapists to develop an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) that determines the services your child will receive and where they will be delivered. Your goals and wishes should also be considered in the development of the plan, and you may be asked to fill out forms or attend interviews. To educate yourself about the IFSP process and what it involves in South Dakota, download "Infant/Toddler and Family Rights: Birth to Three in South Dakota and a sample IFSP form from the Department of Education site, and "The Early Intervention/IFSP Process" from the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.
4. When you receive the IFSP, review it to make sure you agree with the services specified and the site at which they will be delivered. Your consent is required before the services can be delivered, and you have a right to turn down anything you disagree with or back out of the program altogether. According to the Birth to Three page for parent information, services provided in the IFSP may include audiology, assistive technology, family training and counseling, health services, nursing, nutrition, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services, social work services, special instruction, and transportation. Therapies should be provided in a natural setting, which may include your home or a day-care center your child attends. Ask questions and make sure you understand everything mentioned in the IFSP before giving your consent.
5. Service providers will be assigned to your child, and you can find out more about them through the provider map on the Department of Education site. Collaborate with the therapists who will be working with your child, sharing insights from your experience and asking for suggestions on how you can continue the work your child is doing at home between sessions.
1. Consult with your pediatrician.
According to information on the University of South Dakota site, to be eligible for early intervention in South Dakota, your child will need to have a developmental delay “at least a 1.5 standard deviation below the mean," be "born at 28 weeks gestation or less," or have "a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delays. Determinations of developmental delay shall be based on medical diagnoses, including Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities; sensory impairments, including vision and hearing; inborn errors of metabolism; microcephaly; severe attachment disorders, including failure to thrive; seizure disorders; and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome." Your doctor should be knowledgeable about these requirements and able to make the referral to Birth to Three or give you the information necessary to do so. The importance of early intervention and the availability of these services is a good reason to urge your doctor to move past the "wait and see" phase and toward an identification of problems and needed therapies.
2. Call the Birth to Three program to request help for your child, if your doctor or another professional has not done this for you. The phone number is 800-305-3064 or 605-773-3678, and the staff member who answers should be able to get you started in applying to the program or answer any questions you our your family members may have about it. You might also contact South Dakota Parent Connection to talk to a parent educator about what you need to know to successfully advocate for your child, in early intervention and beyond.
3. Your child will be evaluated by a team including speech, physical, and occupational therapists to develop an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) that determines the services your child will receive and where they will be delivered. Your goals and wishes should also be considered in the development of the plan, and you may be asked to fill out forms or attend interviews. To educate yourself about the IFSP process and what it involves in South Dakota, download "Infant/Toddler and Family Rights: Birth to Three in South Dakota and a sample IFSP form from the Department of Education site, and "The Early Intervention/IFSP Process" from the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.
4. When you receive the IFSP, review it to make sure you agree with the services specified and the site at which they will be delivered. Your consent is required before the services can be delivered, and you have a right to turn down anything you disagree with or back out of the program altogether. According to the Birth to Three page for parent information, services provided in the IFSP may include audiology, assistive technology, family training and counseling, health services, nursing, nutrition, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services, social work services, special instruction, and transportation. Therapies should be provided in a natural setting, which may include your home or a day-care center your child attends. Ask questions and make sure you understand everything mentioned in the IFSP before giving your consent.
5. Service providers will be assigned to your child, and you can find out more about them through the provider map on the Department of Education site. Collaborate with the therapists who will be working with your child, sharing insights from your experience and asking for suggestions on how you can continue the work your child is doing at home between sessions.
