# Early Intervention Explained: Free Evaluations for Developmental Delays

> What US early intervention is, who can refer, how the free evaluation and plan work, and what happens at age 3.

Stage: family - Topic: Play and development - Page: https://www.askcladle.com/guides/parents/early-intervention-explained

Grounded in: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C (birth to 3) and Part B section 619 (ages 3 to 5), US Department of Education guidance, CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." materials, and the AAP's guidance on developmental surveillance and referral. Summarized in Cradle's own words; none of these sources endorse Cradle. General information, not legal or medical advice.

Reviewed: 2026-11

## TLDR

- Early intervention is a free US program for babies and toddlers from birth to 3 with a developmental delay or a condition likely to cause one.
- Anyone can call, with no doctor's referral or diagnosis needed; the evaluation, plan and coordination are free.
- From age 3, ask your public school district for an evaluation in writing; don't wait and see if you're worried.

## What it is

- **Early intervention (EI)** is a US program, run by each state under federal law (IDEA Part C),
  for babies and toddlers from birth to their third birthday who have a developmental delay or a
  condition likely to lead to one.
- It covers speech and language, movement, thinking and learning, social and emotional skills,
  and self-help skills like eating.
- Services can include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental
  specialists, feeding help, hearing and vision services, and family coaching.
- Earlier support tends to help more, because young brains are changing quickly.

## Who can refer, and how

- **Anyone can call,** including parents, grandparents, foster parents and childcare providers.
  You don't need a doctor's referral or a diagnosis.
- Find your state's program by asking your pediatrician, searching the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act
  Early." site for your state's early intervention contact, or calling your local health
  department.
- Say: "I'm concerned about my child's development and I'd like an evaluation."
- Babies born very early, with low birth weight, with a hearing loss or certain diagnoses may
  qualify automatically.

## What happens next

1. **Intake:** a service coordinator contacts you and explains the process.
2. **Free evaluation:** a team looks at all areas of development, often at home, through play and
   your answers.
3. **Eligibility:** each state sets its own criteria for how much delay qualifies.
4. **Plan:** if eligible, you and the team write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
   with goals that matter to your family. By law this should happen within 45 days of referral.
5. **Services:** usually in everyday settings like home or childcare, with the therapist coaching
   you on ways to build skills into daily routines.

## Cost

- The evaluation, the plan and service coordination are free. Some states bill insurance or use a
  sliding-scale fee for services, but no family can be turned away because they can't pay.
- Services are available regardless of immigration status. Interpreters should be offered for
  families who speak languages other than English.

## Ages 3 to 5, and beyond

- At 3, children move from EI to their **public school district** (IDEA Part B), which offers free
  evaluations and, if eligible, preschool special education services through an Individualized
  Education Program (IEP). Planning for the switch begins several months before age 3.
- If your child is 3 or older and never had EI, contact your local school district's special
  education office and request an evaluation in writing, even if your child doesn't attend that
  district's schools. Schools have a legal duty to find and evaluate children who may need help.

## Tips for parents

- Trust your instincts. Waiting to see often means losing helpful months.
- You can say yes to some services and no to others, and you can ask for changes.
- If your child doesn't qualify, ask what to watch for and when to ask again.

## When to check in

- Raise any concern about development with the pediatrician and request an EI or school evaluation
  at the same time; you don't have to wait for one before the other.
- Ask again if things don't improve or new concerns appear. Eligibility can change.