The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals: Partnering for Success (Early Childhood Education)

“Bonnie Keilty has provided a much-needed guide to early intervention for both families and professionals. This compelling book tells both what to expect in early intervention and how early intervention should be provided.”

—R. A. McWilliam, Director, Siskin Center for Child and Family Research

“This is one of the most helpful books I have read on early intervention. It marries policy, research, and recommended practices to help families and professionals understand what early intervention should look like. This is a tremendous resource and should be a must-read for all students who will be providing early intervention services.”

—Judy Swett,Early Childhood Coordinator, PACER Center

This practical guide is essential reading for families of infants and toddlers with, or at risk for, developmental delays or disabilities and the early intervention professionals who partner with those families. The Early Intervention Guidebook shows what early intervention looks like when it is based on current research, policies, and best practices. It focuses on how families and professionals can collaborate effectively so that young children learn, grow, and thrive.  Chapters address important issues in early intervention, including child learning and development, family functioning and priorities, early intervention as a support not a substitute, and thinking about “what’s next” after early intervention. Specific components of early intervention—evaluation and assessment, program planning, intervention implementation, service coordination, and transition—are discussed. This hands-on resource:

• Describes the fundamental elements of early intervention for children, families, and professionals who participate in early intervention.


• Uses stories of families in early intervention to illustrate key concepts.


• Provides checklists that readers can use to assess their experience in early intervention.


• Includes national resources for families and disciplinary professionals.

Bonnie Keilty is an Assistant Professor of the Child and Family Development faculty in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.