Comprehensive Therapy and
Services for the Whole Family
What is Early Supports?
Northwest Center Kids Early Supports is a family-centered program for children 0-3 with developmental delays. We provide speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietitian, special education and family resource coordination services wherever the child learns, plays and sleeps—including their home, their childcare center, Northwest Center’s inclusive Early Learning programs (at Greenwood and our downtown Seattle location) or other community settings.
Early Supports (ES) was previously known as “Early Intervention.” As a part of a community that includes the state program in which we offer ES services, we are shifting away from using the term “Early Intervention” as we have received feedback from the families we serve and community members that the term “intervention” is harmful. Historically, families have had negative experiences with “interventions” from state-funded programs. Upon reflection, we also realized that we do not “intervene” with families; we support and work alongside families. It makes sense for us to shift the program name to better match what we do.
Northwest Center Kids Early Supports is a family-centered program for children 0-3 with developmental delays. We provide speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietitian, special education and family resource coordination services wherever the child learns, plays and sleeps—including their home, their childcare center, Northwest Center’s inclusive Early Learning programs (at Greenwood and our downtown Seattle location) or other community settings.
Early Supports (ES) was previously known as “Early Intervention.” As a part of a community that includes the state program in which we offer ES services, we are shifting away from using the term “Early Intervention” as we have received feedback from the families we serve and community members that the term “intervention” is harmful. Historically, families have had negative experiences with “interventions” from state-funded programs. Upon reflection, we also realized that we do not “intervene” with families; we support and work alongside families. It makes sense for us to shift the program name to better match what we do.
Comprehensive Approach
We believe that children learn best in their natural environment and that participation of everyone on the child's team—including family members and other caregivers is vital for success. Our comprehensive approach includes working in the home with parents and caregivers to evaluate and develop functional goals to support children to participate more fully in everyday activities and routines. We collaborate with other providers such as primary care doctors and hospital clinics to create a connected, comprehensive team to support a child’s development.
Hybrid Model of In-Person & Virtual Support During COVID-19
During the pandemic, we are supporting children virtually using Zoom and providing tablets and other devices to families who need them.
Child Therapy Services
We offer an array of services tailored to your child’s specific needs:
Hospital-to-Home Support
Hospital-to-Home supports families and their babies aged birth to 6 months (adjusting for prematurity) in the critical time when babies transition home from a hospital stay. The program is designed to support positive social-emotional, developmental, and medical outcomes for babies.
A Variety of Programs
Every child receives specialized services to support their development. In addition to our core therapy and education services, we offer a variety of options for families:
We believe that children learn best in their natural environment and that participation of everyone on the child's team—including family members and other caregivers is vital for success. Our comprehensive approach includes working in the home with parents and caregivers to evaluate and develop functional goals to support children to participate more fully in everyday activities and routines. We collaborate with other providers such as primary care doctors and hospital clinics to create a connected, comprehensive team to support a child’s development.
Hybrid Model of In-Person & Virtual Support During COVID-19
During the pandemic, we are supporting children virtually using Zoom and providing tablets and other devices to families who need them.
Child Therapy Services
We offer an array of services tailored to your child’s specific needs:
- Physical Therapy
- Speech-Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Feeding Therapy
- Nutrition Services
- Family Resource Coordination
- Education Services
- Mental Health Therapists
Hospital-to-Home Support
Hospital-to-Home supports families and their babies aged birth to 6 months (adjusting for prematurity) in the critical time when babies transition home from a hospital stay. The program is designed to support positive social-emotional, developmental, and medical outcomes for babies.
A Variety of Programs
Every child receives specialized services to support their development. In addition to our core therapy and education services, we offer a variety of options for families:
Our Team of Specialists
Our Early Supports team is made up of compassionate specialists who work together to provide your child and family comprehensive services and support. Our multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists includes Family Resources Coordinators, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Dietitians, Special Educators, and Mental Health Specialists.
We support our ES team so they can best support your child and family through generous continuing education, regular reflective consultation, frequent opportunities to connect with teammates, lower caseloads, self-care practices, lunch-and-learns, skills sharing, and social events.
Meet Our Team →
Our Early Supports team is made up of compassionate specialists who work together to provide your child and family comprehensive services and support. Our multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists includes Family Resources Coordinators, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Dietitians, Special Educators, and Mental Health Specialists.
We support our ES team so they can best support your child and family through generous continuing education, regular reflective consultation, frequent opportunities to connect with teammates, lower caseloads, self-care practices, lunch-and-learns, skills sharing, and social events.
Meet Our Team →
A Doctor’s Referral is Not Necessary.
We Offer a Free Evaluation for Your Child.
We Offer a Free Evaluation for Your Child.
FAQ
These are the questions we are most often asked. Many questions can be answered in our parent handbook (available by request). Please contact us or your family resources coordinator for clarification or to answer any questions not listed below.
These are the questions we are most often asked. Many questions can be answered in our parent handbook (available by request). Please contact us or your family resources coordinator for clarification or to answer any questions not listed below.
What is an Early Supports evaluation?
An evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation done by trained therapists and educators to evaluate strengths and areas for improvement based on a child’s age and medical history. We evaluate language skills (both expressive and receptive), motor skills, adaptive (self-help), cognitive, social-emotional skills and review hearing and vision. We can also evaluate feeding, sensory processing, infant mental health, and nutrition based on family and child need.
What does it mean if my child qualifies?
If the evaluation shows your child has an area of need based on testing scores or the clinical opinion of the therapist, the child qualifies for ESIT services such as Speech therapy, Physical Therapy, etc. All services are voluntary. A child may qualify for services based on testing and observation, but it is up to the family if they wish to receive those services. It is the family’s right to change their mind about services at any time.
What does Birth-3 mean? Do you serve children who are 3 years old?
Our program serves children up until their third birthday. After turning 3, we help children transition either to School District services or to private therapy services if needed. We can take referrals for children up to 45 days before a child’s 3rd birthday.
My Pediatrician said I should get an evaluation, but I have no concerns about my child’s development. Should I still get an evaluation?
That is completely up to you; our program is completely voluntary. An evaluation will give you a comprehensive view of where your child is at developmentally, however, even if your child qualifies for services it is your right to decline any or all services.
How do you provide services for such young children?
Our team is very used to interacting with children under the age of 3. We provide services through parent coaching techniques. The therapist/educator will work closely with parent and caregivers to develop techniques that can be implemented in your child’s day to day life to help support their development. This parent coaching approach allows you to be an active participant in your child’s therapy services while still having a trained specialist to observe and modify techniques to work best for your family.
Does the evaluation cost money?
There is no out of pocket cost for the evaluation - we do bill medical insurance; however, deductible, co-pay and co-insurance charges for the evaluation are written off. If your child qualifies for services and you decide to pursue those services, we do bill medical insurance for visits. If there is an associated deductible, co-insurance or copay you are responsible for this cost, based on your insurance. After the evaluation, your Family Resource Coordinator and our Medical Billing team can help you figure out exactly what that deductible or copay may be based on your insurance.
WHAT IS A FAMILY RESOURCES COORDINATOR (FRC)?
A Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) is unique to Early Supports. The family resources coordinator assists the family in navigating the early intervention system by setting up intake, evaluation and transition; they coordinate resources within Northwest Center and the community and are a part of the ES team.
WHAT IF I'M NOT IN YOUR AREA?
In the event that you are moving out of our catchment area, your Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) will help you find Early Supports services in your area. If your Individual Family Service Plan is current, the plan can move with your child. Once you move, you will not receive FRC services through Northwest Center, your FRC will be through your new Early Supports.
CAN I CALL ANY TIME BEFORE MY CHILD'S 3RD BIRTHDAY?
Our contract with King County states that we can begin the eligibility process up to 45 days prior to the child’s 3rd birthday. We do not take referrals less than 45 days from a child’s 3rd birthday. If you are calling close to the child’s 3rd birthday (but more than 45 days before your child turns 3), please understand that the intake/evaluation process takes time and, if your child qualifies, time for services may be limited due to our program ending at a child’s 3rd birthday.
WHAT IS AN IFSP?
IFSP is an acronym for Individual Family Service Plan. If your child is eligible for Early Supports services you will have a meeting with your Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) and other service providers to create an IFSP. These are goals for the next 6-12 months. You will work with your FRC and therapists/educators to ensure the plan reflects your family’s concerns, interests and values. Services begin when you have agreed to the IFSP and consent to the services. The IFSP is an ongoing process that meets the changing needs of your child and family and it can be amended at any time.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD TURNS THREE?
This is what we call transition process. We begin talking about the transition process very soon after your child begins services at Northwest Center. When your child turns three, Early Supports services end. At age three, the local school district takes over the provision of services, if your child continues to qualify for services. Your FRC and primary service provider will help your family with the transition process with the school district to determine if your child is eligible for ongoing services. We support smooth transition out of our service and connect families with other resources that can help after you transition out of ES.
Early Supports Services FAQ’s: Virtual Visits
How do you do an accurate evaluation virtually?
Our evaluations are done through a combination of parent report, observation, and assessments with developmentally normed tools.
What if my child doesn’t want to stay in front of the camera during the evaluation?
Our therapists will actively try to engage with your little one during the evaluation, however, we don’t expect them to want to stay front and center during the entire evaluation. Since our evaluation process relies on parent report in addition to testing, it is completely fine for your little one to come and go from the screen view.
Our Pediatrician said we needed Physical Therapy. I can see how other therapies are provided virtually but how will you be able to provide Physical Therapy virtually?
Infants and toddlers are developing brain connections and brain architecture at such a rapid pace and learn best in their natural environment from a trusted caregiver. There is much to learn from a parent at home with the coaching of a Physical Therapist. Sessions are typically set up as follows:
The Physical Therapist (PT) will observe and assess the child’s movements and ask the parent questions about their child’s mobility and independence.
The PT will check in with the family, review the shared plan from the previous visit and work collaboratively with the family to address priorities for the session.
The PT will ask you to trial activities and games in your home to elicit movements from your child that support development of physical therapy goals, including strength, core stability, balance and motor planning skills. The PT will suggest use of toys and materials already found in your home to support development.
The PT will use props to model techniques (i.e. motor therapy doll, toys, other household items ) for parents and observe the parent trying these techniques with their child, giving feedback. The parent and child may be asked to repeat an activity multiple times to help the child learn and integrate new skills.
At the end of the session, the PT will review successful activities from the session and make suggestions of which activities the family should work on with the child, until the next PT session. With the coaching of a Physical Therapist, the parent learns and is empowered to support their child's physical development.
The Physical Therapist (PT) will observe and assess the child’s movements and ask the parent questions about their child’s mobility and independence.
The PT will check in with the family, review the shared plan from the previous visit and work collaboratively with the family to address priorities for the session.
The PT will ask you to trial activities and games in your home to elicit movements from your child that support development of physical therapy goals, including strength, core stability, balance and motor planning skills. The PT will suggest use of toys and materials already found in your home to support development.
The PT will use props to model techniques (i.e. motor therapy doll, toys, other household items ) for parents and observe the parent trying these techniques with their child, giving feedback. The parent and child may be asked to repeat an activity multiple times to help the child learn and integrate new skills.
At the end of the session, the PT will review successful activities from the session and make suggestions of which activities the family should work on with the child, until the next PT session. With the coaching of a Physical Therapist, the parent learns and is empowered to support their child's physical development.
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Helping You Get Started: Evaluation is Free
If you have a concern about your child's development, don't wait: evaluation is free.
We are committed to ensuring that all children are able to access quality services. Early Supports is partly subsidized through government funding, and we also bill private insurance and Medicaid. Through our contact with private insurance, we are required to collect co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance associated with your child's insurance plan. It is the client's responsibility to understand their insurance benefits and their responsibility to Northwest Center. Financial aid is available for qualifying families to help cover costs. |
