• Early intervention applies to children of school age or younger who are discovered to have or be at risk of developing a handicapping condition or other special need that may affect their development.
  
• Early intervention consists in the provision of services such children and their families for the purpose of lessening the effects of the condition.
  
• Early intervention can be remedial or preventive in nature--remediating existing developmental problems or preventing their occurrence.
  
• Early intervention may focus on the child alone or on the child and the family together.
  
• Early intervention programs may be center-based, home-based, hospital-based, or a combination. Services range from identification--that is, hospital or school screening and referral services--to diagnostic and direct intervention programs.
  
• Early intervention may begin at any time between birth and school age; however, there are many reasons for it to begin as early as possible.

*Source: U.S. Department of Education