The Differences Between School-Aged Services and Early Intervention Services

School Age Services

In order for a student to be eligible for special education services, the student must meet two requirements. First, the student must be identified as having one of the thirteen disabilities listed in the IDEA: autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intel­lectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, or visual impairment.

Second, the student must also require specially-designed instruc­tion as determined by an evaluation team. Specially-designed instruction refers to the special methods, equip­ment, materials, and adaptations that are needed for students to be successful in school and to achieve their IEP goals. This may involve accommodations and/or modifica­tions to the general education curriculum.

Accommodations are teaching supports and services that the student may require to successfully demonstrate learning. Accommodations change the “how” of learning, but do not change expectations to the curriculum grade levels. Accommodations may involve special seating, frequent breaks, or extended time on tests.

Modifications are changes made to the curriculum expectations in order to meet the needs of the student. Modifications are made when the expectations are beyond the student’s level of ability. Modifications may include modified homework assignments, alternate forms of assessment such as portfolios, and changes to the curriculum. Modifications change the “what” of learning.  

Early Intervention Services

Early Intervention consists of services and supports designed to help families with children who have developmental delays. While all children grow and change at their own rate, some children can experience delays in their development.

Early Intervention services can include: information on how children develop; parent/caregiver education, support services, and developmental therapies that assist in child development. Early Intervention provides ideas for how the family can help their child at home and in the community and is individualized to enhance the child’s growing and learning.

Services and supports are embedded in the learning opportunities that exist in the child’s typical routines and within the home and community and/or other early education programs such as child care centers, nursery schools, prekindergarten programs or Head Start.

Excerpt from: Teacher’s Desk Reference: Practical Information for Pennsylvania’s Teachers – Special Education Overview (PATTaN) & Early Intervention…helping families develop their child’s potential