30 - Tiny Steps, Big Trust; The Power of Early Intervention with Developmental Specialist: Ashley Hopper

Ashley Hopper is a developmental specialist working in Early Intervention, a program that provides services to children from birth to age three who may have developmental delays. Ashley helps us understand:

• How milestones are not one size fits all

• When you would consider reaching out for early intervention services

• HOW to access these services

• What to expect when navigating early intervention help..

• And more.

One thing I found to be so beautiful about the work that Ashley does is how dedicated she is to taking the time to get to know each individual family’s values and priorities and her commitment to bringing the best resources and strategies to each family based on their unique needs, desires and circumstances. Her heart for her people is clear and I think you’ll enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. Thank you for being here with us, here’s the show!

Ashley emphasizes the importance of building trust with parents and working collaboratively to support the child's development. She explains that early intervention focuses on meeting developmental milestones and addressing concerns such as gross motor delay, communication delay, and preschool readiness skills. Ashley encourages parents to trust their instincts and seek resources if they have concerns about their child's development. Early intervention services are provided at no cost to families, with the option to bill Medicaid or private insurance for additional funding. Parents can determine if their child may benefit from early intervention by looking out for communication delays and gross motor delays. The impact of early intervention can be seen in the long-term relationships built with families and the empowerment parents feel in supporting their child's development. Play is a key component of early intervention, allowing children to learn and engage in a natural and fun way. Toddler chores can also be incorporated to promote independence and daily routines. Behavior and self-regulation are important areas of focus, with parents learning strategies to help their child cope with big feelings. The eligibility process for early intervention services involves an initial evaluation. Early intervention evaluations typically take place in the child's home and involve a comprehensive assessment of their development. The evaluation includes gathering medical history, conducting screenings for communication, nutrition, hearing, vision, and autism, and using informed clinical opinion to determine eligibility. The evaluation process is play-based and observation-focused, with the goal of providing a snapshot of the child's development. The evaluation team works closely with parents to create an individualized family service plan (IFSP) that outlines goals and services. The entire process, from referral to implementation of the IFSP, takes about 75 days.

Project Assist

https://dhhs.nv.gov/programs/idea/projectassist/