POSITION DUTIES:

Serves as Speech-Language Pathologist for Early Intervention Services (EIS) of the Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) program; provides EIS to infants/toddlers and their families who are eligible for early intervention under Department of Defense criteria. Clients include infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age, with complicated developmental delays and disabilities (e.g. delays in multiple developmental areas, impacted by family dynamics and/or environment) that may result from complex medical diagnosis (e.g., genetic syndromes, vision and hearing deficits, physical impairments related to prematurity and injuries at birth), as well as autism spectrum disorder, neuromuscular and motor dysfunction, cognitive delays, speech and language difficulties, behavioral/emotional disorders. Implements a family-centered approach to services that supports and fosters confidence and competence in families to meet the needs of their child. Provides or coordinates a range of services and supports designed to ensure and enhance children’s personal development and resilience, strengthen family competencies, and promote the social and cultural inclusion of families and children.


1. Child Find, Screening, and Evaluation Services: Analyzes the local community to establish and implement activities to identify children in the local EDIS Area of Responsibility (AOR) who may require EIS. Coordinates and participates in Child Find activities with community agencies (e.g., DoD child development centers, MTF’s, DoD family support services) to ensure infants and toddlers with special needs are identified and referred for evaluation. Collaborates with MTF referral sources, service providers, day care workers and others who interact with children and their families. Participates with a multidisciplinary team in conducting developmental assessments of children who may have complex developmental needs. Utilizes the Routines-Based Interview (RBI) to conduct a comprehensive family-centered assessment of the resources, priorities, and concerns of the family and identification of the supports and services required to enhance the family’s capacity to meet the needs of the eligible infant or toddler. Conducts family interviews and selects, administers, scores, and interprets individually appropriate developmental assessment measures (e.g., Battelle Developmental Inventory-2, Developmental Assessment of Young Children-2, REEL-3, Preschool Language Scale, Goldman-Fristoe, etc.) to determine children's present level of development. Collects data from other team members and agencies involved in the evaluation process to obtain an authentic assessment of the child’s functional skills and abilities within the family environment and day-to-day routines/activities. Discusses assessment results with parents and provides written and oral reports of evaluation and provides feedback to referral sources. Participates in the EDIS public awareness program to include providing information throughout the AOR on infant and toddler developmental milestones and the critical importance of the early identification of infants and toddlers with disabilities. Utilizes professional diagnostic and intervention techniques to perform screening and evaluation of the infant/toddler level of development of all forms of communication, including expressive and receptive language, communicative intent, and gesturing, and across all developmental domains.

2. Intervention Services: Collaborates in an interdisciplinary team, including the parents, for the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), ensuring the IFSP is completed in a timely manner and is reviewed/updated at least every six months. Provides EIS to infants and toddlers and their families in natural environments, including the home, child care center, or other community settings as identified on the IFSP. Develops and adapts intervention strategies to each Family (e.g., adapt utensils and arrange seating to support self-feeding, develop picture boards for communication, adapt toys to support play) that facilitate the child’s functional development (e.g., ability to meet their own needs, develop positive social-emotional relationships, acquire and use knowledge and skills) implementing services into their routines and utilizing resources readily available within the Family environment. Delivers intervention services consistent with credentials and licensure and program guidance and philosophy. Provides consultation and technical assistance to other early intervention team members and agencies within the AOR (e.g., Child Development Services etc.). Ensures services specified in the IFSP are delivered in accordance with requirements and designed to meet the identified goals. Ensures the development of plans to effectively transition children from EIS to preschool services or other programs as children turn 3 years old or Families move to new communities. Maintains appropriate ongoing contact with families to detect and respond to changes in family or child needs and adapts the IFSP to meet changing child and family needs and priorities. Coordinates services across agency lines for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Informs families of their due process rights provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and applicable DoD regulations. Provide families with the knowledge, skills, and support they require to meet and advocate for the needs and rights of their child in all settings. Maintains all documentation of services and completes data entry in the government automated system for capturing data and documentation of services to children with special needs.

3.Service Coordination and Education: Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team (frequently as the Primary Provider) to develop an appropriate IFSP and deliver services for each infant/toddler and family. Serves as service coordinator for families and as liaison to school-based or other community-based service delivery programs. Coordinates with community agencies (e.g., DoD child development centers and family assistance organizations) to assist families in meeting complex (e.g., child care, respite care) needs and requirements. Initiates appropriate contacts and prepares reports, letters, and documents as required. Conducts training for EIS personnel, community groups, and MTF personnel. Responsible for driving to client homes, day care centers, schools, or other community or natural settings to deliver services. Participates in the Local Inter-component Coordinating Council (LICC) to facilitate the development of community resources and programs that enhance the quality of life for families of children with special needs. Complies with the required Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) components. Completes required CSPD training modules toward certification of competence as an early interventionist. Keeps current with emerging technology and developments in pertinent subject matter for practice and licensure. Read current professional publications or journals in the field of early intervention and participates in continuing education training.

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.