A History of EI/ECSE in the United States: A Personal Perspective

Abstract

This article offers a view of the evolution of Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) in the United States. This view of the field’s growth and change over time reflects the personal memories, experiences, and perspectives of Diane Bricker, who reviews the evolutionary changes in EI/ECSE based on her experiences with a range of theorists, scientists, and clinicians who affected the EI/ECSE profession both directly and indirectly. The challenge of succinctly summarizing the history of EI/ECSE required Bricker to make many difficult choices and prohibited recognizing many important contributors and events over the years. The following narrative of her presentation provides a powerful backdrop for the future of the field.