high-quality therapeutic support for children with developmental delays
An Approved NYC Early Intervention Agency
NYC'S EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the national Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. To be eligible for services, children must be under 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, as defined by the state, in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive.
Fueling Early Growth Through Play and Support
Our mission is to provide the highest quality therapeutic support to children with developmental delays by utilizing their natural environment and teaching them through play. We believe that learning should be fun and rewarding for children. Our agency provides the necessary support to parents and caregivers to learn effective strategies so they can help their children overcome challenges they may have within their daily routine. We promote teaching through play because, through play, children at a very early age learn to interact with the world around them, which also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.
Get in touch with Let's Start With Play today and take the first step in getting your child the help and care they deserve.
ABA Intervention
A world of educational possibilities for children struggling with autism.
Speech & Social Skill
Simple strategies to build effective communication and proper social skills.
Behavior Treatment
ABA and related therapies enhance skills and minimize disruptive behaviors in children.
Family Training
A team based approach to support and empower the family as a whole.
Building Brighter Futures with NYC's Early Intervention Program
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a public program for children under the age of three who are either suspected of having or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Potentially eligible children must be referred to their county's municipality program to receive EIP services. For information on how to make a referral, you can call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline telephone number (1-800-522-5006).
Secure Assistance for Your Child's Development
EIP is funded by the New York state and county governments. All EIP services are provided at no cost to parents. Health insurance may be used for approved services. When early intervention services are delivered in child care settings or community locations that require a fee, the parent is responsible for any associated costs associated with such access to child care or community locations. A child's eligibility for the program can be determined only by state-approved evaluators under contract, and all services must be authorized by the county. The municipality will arrange for service providers based on the individualized needs of the child and family to deliver services through EIP authorized by the municipality.
Let's Start With Play is an approved agency of NYS's EIP and is under contract with NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk Municipalities to deliver EIP services.
Child Development Checklist
Nurture Every Step
Young children learn and develop differently. One baby might walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. Click through the tabs above for signs that your infant or toddler may need extra help. If you have concerns about your baby's development, the earlier you get help, the better. Early help does make a difference!
Here's what you can expect your child to be doing from birth to age three: If you have concerns about your baby's development, call your local Early Intervention Program.
At 3 Months of Age, Most Babies:
- Turn their heads toward bright colors and lights
- No longer "cross their eyes" while trying to focus. They move both their eyes in the same direction at the same time.
- Recognize bottle or breast
- Respond to their mother's voice
- Make cooing sounds
- Bring their hands together
- Wiggle and kick with their arms and legs
- Lift their head while lying on their stomach
- Become quiet in response to sound, especially speech
- Smile
At 6 Months of Age, Most Babies:
- Follow moving objects with their eyes
- Turn toward the source of normal sound
- Reach for objects and pick them up
- Switch toys from one hand to the other
- Play with their toes
- Help hold the bottle during feeding
- Recognize familiar faces
- Imitate speech sounds
- Respond to soft sounds, especially talking
- Roll over
At 12 Months of Age, Most Babies:
- Get to a sitting position
- Pull to a standing position
- Stand briefly without support
- Crawl
- Imitate adults using a cup or telephone
- Play peek-a-boo and patty cake
- Wave bye-bye
- Put objects in a container
- Say at least one word
- Make "ma-ma" or "da-da" sounds
At 18 Months of Age, Most Babies:
- Like to push and pull objects
- Say at least six words
- Follow simple directions ("Bring the ball")
- Pull off their shoes, socks, and mittens
- Can point to a picture that you name in a book
- Feed themselves
- Make marks on paper with crayons
- Walk without help
- Walk backwards
- Point, make sounds, or try to use words to ask for things
- Say "no," shake their head, or push away things they don't want
At 2 Years of Age, Most Babies:
- Use 2-3 word sentences
- Say about 50 words
- Recognize familiar pictures
- Kick a ball forward
- Feed themselves with a spoon
- Demand a lot of your attention
- Turn two or three pages together
- Like to imitate their parent
- Identify hair, eyes, ears, and nose by pointing
- Build a tower of four blocks
- Show affection
At 3 Years of Age, Most Babies:
- Throw a ball overhand
- Ride a tricycle
- Put on their shoes
- Open the door
- Turn one page at a time
- Play with other children for a few minutes
- Repeat common rhymes
- Use 3-5 word sentences
- Name at least one color correctly
Reach Out
For more information, please contact:
New York State Department of Health
Bureau of Early Intervention
Corning Tower, Room 287
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237-0660
Phone: (518) 473-7016
E-mail: bei@health.state.ny.us
Special Instruction (SI)
Special instruction is one of the support services our agency offers. Our providers will help your child increase their developmental skills by incorporating engaging activities throughout the child's daily routine that emphasize increasing communication, social interaction, and age-appropriate milestones.
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is based on scientific principles of learning and behavior. ABA is used to increase language and communication skills. ABA can improve attention, focus, and social skills, as well as help decrease problem behaviors. ABA focuses on positive reinforcement strategies. It can help children who are having difficulty learning or acquiring new skills. It can also address problem behaviors that interfere with a child's everyday functioning during daily routines. Learn more from AUTISM SPEAKS, www.autismspeaks.org
Family Training
We believe it takes a team to support children with developmental delays. Together, we can provide appropriate strategies used at home throughout your child's daily routine.
Shaping Futures Through Playful Education
Let's Start With Play (LSWP) is an approved NYC early intervention agency. Our belief is that through play and positive reinforcement, we can make learning possible. Our program is centered around teaching children in their natural environment and providing them with the strategies they need to acquire new skills. We provide a unique therapeutic experience based on the individual needs of each child and family.
Explore Rewarding Opportunities at Let's Start With Play
Join our dynamic team dedicated to early childhood development! We're seeking passionate NYC special education teachers with B-2 certification, LMSWs committed to family support, and registered nurses with a heart for pediatric care. If you're driven to make a difference in children's lives and possess the necessary qualifications, we invite you to apply and embark on a rewarding journey with Let's Start With Play.
Visit our careers section today to submit a resume.
Contact Us Today
Have a question, or need to get in touch with our staff? Feel free to send us a message, and we'll be here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Early Intervention Agency
Contact Us
Phone:
Email:
Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat & Sun: Closed
Our Location
61-43 186th Street, Suite 436, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365