Jerome is a 2-year-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He is eligible for which service?

Jerome is a 2-year-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He is eligible for which service?

• A. Transition planning
• B. Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
• C. Early intervention
• D. Response to Intervention (RTI)

Answer: (C)

When a child is under 3 years old and has a diagnosed condition that affects development, they are eligible for early intervention services. Jerome has cerebral palsy and is 2 years old, which fits this criterion, so early intervention is the services he would be eligible to receive. Early intervention focuses on supporting development in the natural environment through services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and family-centered supports to help the child reach developmental goals. Transition planning is something that typically begins later, as children approach school age, to prepare for moving to general education or other services. RTI is a school-based approach used to address learning difficulties in older children, and ABA is a specific intervention that may be used if indicated, but not the automatic eligibility pathway for a toddler with a diagnosed condition.

When a child is under 3 years old and has a diagnosed condition that affects development, they are eligible for early intervention services. Jerome has cerebral palsy and is 2 years old, which fits this criterion, so early intervention is the services he would be eligible to receive. Early intervention focuses on supporting development in the natural environment through services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and family-centered supports to help the child reach developmental goals.

Transition planning is something that typically begins later, as children approach school age, to prepare for moving to general education or other services. RTI is a school-based approach used to address learning difficulties in older children, and ABA is a specific intervention that may be used if indicated, but not the automatic eligibility pathway for a toddler with a diagnosed condition.