Factors Associated with Early Intervention Intensity for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Jareen Meinzen-Derr,Meredith E Tabangin,Susan Wiley,Jennifer Ehrhardt,Mekibib Altaye

doi:10.3390/children9020224

Abstract

We quantified the intensity of early intervention (EI) services allocated to 1262 children who were deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) within a state program and identified factors associated with intervention intensity. Child specific data were collected on children born between 2008 and 2014. Data from Individualized Family Service Plans of children enrolled in Part C EI programming were evaluated for the type and duration of services during their EI enrollment. Associations between EI intensity and child/family variables were examined. Median age of EI enrollment was 5.3 months. The most frequently received services included primary service coordination, specialized DHH service, special instruction, language therapy, and family training; 60% of children received 4 or more different EI services. The median service intensity was 138.1 min per month across all EI years. The factors associated with higher EI intensity included severe hearing loss, bilateral hearing loss and presence of a disability. Children enrolled in EI at later ages received higher intensity of specialized DHH services, suggesting a need to “catch up” due to late acquisition of services. Evaluating EI service intensity broadens our understanding of effective components of state-based programs that support the developmental needs of children who are DHH.

Highlights

Intervention (EI) refers to the process of providing services, education and support to infants and toddlers who have disabilities, developmental delays, or are at high-risk for delays
We modeled the relationship between demographic and clinical characteristics and the intensity of services received during early intervention using general linear models (GLM) and accounting for clustering in nine regions through generalized estimating equations (GEE) with an exchangeable covariance structure
early intervention (EI) services, defined as minutes per thethe intensity of EIofservices, defined as minutes per month, month, that were assigned to and infants and toddlers who were identified as hard deaf of or hearing hard of that were assigned to infants toddlers who were identified as deaf or hearing from populous a large populous state

Summary

Introduction

Intervention (EI) refers to the process of providing services, education and support to infants and toddlers who have disabilities, developmental delays, or are at high-risk for delays. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) EHDI has endorsed national guidelines that a child should receive: a hearing screening no later than one month of age; a diagnosis no later than 3 months of age; and entry into EI services no later than 6 months of age. Though it varies by state and by year, overall approximately

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