What Is Early Intervention?

Early intervention is a term that is often used to describe specific agencies, programs, services, and resources for children from birth to five years who are at risk of developing a handicapping condition or other special need that may affect their development.

A study by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation of Ypsilanti, Michigan, showed the significant value of early intervention. From 1962-1967, 123 African Americans, all aged 3 to 4 and born in poverty, and therefore at a high risk of later failing in school, were randomly divided into two groups. One group was exposed to a high-quality preschool program while the control group was not exposed to any preschool programs. The findings of this study were significant. Almost a third as many of those attending the preschool program, opposed to those with no preschool exposure (71% vs. 54%), graduated from regular or adult high school, or received their General Education Development Certificate.