Position Statement: The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention (Revised 2024)
DEC is excited to announce that The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention Position Statement (September 2024) is now available!
The purpose of this revised position statement is to clarify the role of the service, Special Instruction, and its providers (referred to as “early intervention educators” in this paper) within the broader field of IDEA (2004) Part C early intervention (EI). Aligned with federal requirements, this statement focuses on this service as it is provided to families of eligible infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. The following topics are discussed: (a) how special instruction is defined and described in federal law and in practice, (b) recommendations for professional preparation and qualifications of EI educators (c) the role of EI educators in each part of the EI process, and (d) how special instruction and EI Educators are distinct from other EI services. An appendix is included to specify what special instruction is and is not when implemented using best practices.
DEC is grateful to the Chair of the position statement workgroup, Dr. Dana Childress; the full writing team; and all who contributed to this work.
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