If something about your baby or toddler's development has been on your mind, you do not have to wait and see. New York has a public program built for exactly this moment, and you can start the process yourself.
This guide explains what Early Intervention is, who it is for, what it costs, and how it relates to autism and ABA therapy.
What is the Early Intervention Program?
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) supports infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. It is run by the New York State Department of Health through its Bureau of Early Intervention, and it is part of a national program created under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Early Intervention can include services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, special instruction, family education and counseling, social work, nutrition, vision and hearing services, and service coordination.
Who is eligible?
A child may be eligible if they are under three years old and either:
- have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that often leads to developmental problems, or
- have a developmental delay in at least one area of development, meeting the criteria in State regulations.
The areas of development are communication, social-emotional, adaptive, cognitive and physical.
Concerns that might prompt an evaluation
The Department of Health puts it simply: do you have concerns about the way your baby or toddler plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves?
You do not need a diagnosis, and you do not need to be certain. Being unsure is reason enough to ask. If your questions are specifically about autism, our guide to the early signs of autism walks through what parents often notice first.
How to refer your child
This surprises many parents: you can refer your own child. You do not need a doctor to do it for you.
Every county has an Early Intervention Official (EIO), who is the single point of entry for the program. To start, call your county's EIO. You can find yours on the Department of Health's list of county Early Intervention contacts.
There is also a referral form (DOH-5775), available in seventeen languages including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Bengali, Arabic and Haitian Creole.
What the evaluation looks like
Once your child is referred:
- The EIO makes sure eligible children receive evaluations at no cost.
- Your child is evaluated by two or more professionals, called a multidisciplinary evaluation.
- The EIO assigns an initial service coordinator to help you arrange the evaluation and work through the next step.
- If your child is eligible, your team writes an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), a written plan built around the outcomes you hope your child will reach.
- Services are delivered, as much as possible, in natural environments, the everyday places your child already spends time.
What does it cost?
Evaluations for eligible children are provided at no cost. If your family has health insurance, it may be billed to help pay for services, but you will not have to make out-of-pocket payments or co-payments. The county and State cover those costs. New York law also prevents Early Intervention payments from counting against your policy's annual or lifetime caps.
How Early Intervention differs from ABA therapy
They are not the same thing, and one does not replace the other.
| Early Intervention Program | ABA therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A New York State program | A specific therapy approach |
| Who it serves | Children under 3 with a delay or diagnosed condition | Children with an autism spectrum disorder or Rett Syndrome diagnosis; NY Medicaid covers members under 21 |
| How you access it | Refer your child to your county's Early Intervention Official | A referral from a qualified provider, plus insurance coverage |
| Who provides it | Professionals licensed, certified or registered and approved by New York State | Licensed Behavior Analysts and the teams they supervise |
Some families use Early Intervention first and look into ABA later. Some do both. The right path depends on your child.
What changes as your child approaches three
Early Intervention serves children under three. As that birthday approaches, families go through a transition process.
A child with a disability who is three or older may be eligible for the preschool special education program, run through the New York State Education Department rather than the Department of Health.
The Department of Health publishes a family-friendly booklet, Transitioning from the Early Intervention Program, created with the State Education Department's Office of Preschool Special Education. Start asking about transition well before your child turns three, so nothing lapses.
Where autism and ABA may fit in
The Department of Health is direct about this: it is important to identify and refer children with autism spectrum disorders as early as possible to the Early Intervention Program.
If your child is later diagnosed with autism, ABA therapy may become part of your family's plan. It can be covered by Medicaid and by many private plans. To understand the therapy itself, read What Is ABA Therapy? A Parent's Guide.
Questions worth asking
- Your pediatrician: Do you have concerns about my child's development? Should we do a developmental screening? Would you recommend a referral to Early Intervention?
- Your evaluator or service coordinator: Which areas of development were assessed? What did you see? What would the IFSP include? How often would services happen?
- Your school district, as your child nears three: When should we start the transition? What does the preschool special education process look like?
- An ABA provider: What would an assessment involve? Who would work with my child, and who supervises them? Do you work with my insurance?
Taking the next step
Wherever you are in this, asking questions early is the right instinct. If you would like to understand ABA therapy and whether it fits your child, we are happy to talk it through, in the language your family speaks.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. For official Early Intervention Program guidance, contact the New York State Department of Health or your county's Early Intervention Official.
