Right Start

Evaluations

If you decide that the Early Intervention Program may help your child and family, the next step is to have your child evaluated. This evaluation is called a Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE). “Multidisciplinary” means that a team of qualified professionals from different disciplines or professions will take part in your child’s evaluation.

Children with certain diagnosed conditions are automatically eligible for the Early Intervention Program. For these children, the purpose of the MDE is to assess your child’s strengths, needs, and current level of functioning in all areas of development.

Areas of development

The five areas of development that will be looked at to assist in developing the Individual Family Service Plan are as follows:

  • Cognitive (learning and thinking)
  • Physical (growth, vision and hearing, gross and fine motor abilities)
  • Communication (understanding and using words)
  • Social/Emotional (relating to others)
  • Adaptive (self-help skills, such as feeding)

If your child is suspected of having a developmental delay, your child will be evaluated to determine if he or she is eligible for Early Intervention services and support.

Eligibility for the Early Intervention Program may be determined only by the New York State Department of Health approved evaluators. Right Start, Inc. is under contract with the New York City Intervention Program to perform evaluations and provide other Early Intervention Program approved services.

If a child is found eligible for the Early Intervention Program, all Early Intervention services are identified in collaboration with the parent and must be authorized by the Early Intervention Official Designee (EIOD). The services will be authorized considering the individual needs of the child and the family.

Rightstart-Fondo3-Owdktfsmbzwt92Owprnqxaoclwnp1Bkub1H15Vmp20