Early Intervention for NICU Graduates

Abstract

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions are on the rise, and infants discharged from the NICU are at elevated risk for developmental delays. Early intervention programs, funded by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004), are one resource available to families and children to promote the growth and development of NICU graduates. This chapter provides a brief history of early intervention services provided by Part C of IDEA for infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays or who may be at risk for delays, and it summarizes criteria for program enrollment and the key practices utilized with children and families in these early intervention programs. The efficacy of early intervention programs for children and families is discussed with a specific focus on the program outcomes for NICU graduates, including premature and low birth weight (LBW) infants. Early intervention enrollment and referral patterns for NICU graduates are presented. The implications of these patterns provide support for the need for partnerships between early intervention programs and NICU follow-up programs to maximize Part C-required Child Find efforts and ensure the best outcomes for NICU graduates and their families.