Developmental Delays Following Birth Addressed Through New York State Department of Health Early Intervention

In the State of New York, children with developmental delays following birth are referred to the New York State Department of Health “Early Intervention” Program.

To be eligible for services, a child must be less than three years old and have a “confirmed disability” or “established development delay” that is (1) physical, (2) cognitive, (3) communicative, (4) social-emotional, and/or (5) adaptive.
Following an evaluation and development of an individualized family service plan (IFSP) services begin almost immediately. Typically within days.

“Many of our clients receive services from Early Intervention,” said New York cerebral palsy lawyer Michael A. Bottar, Esq., of Syracuse-based Bottar Law, PLLC. “EI does a great job providing physical, occupational and speech therapy to children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, Down syndrome and other physical/cognitive deficits including blindness, deafness, and poor muscle tone or feeding. It is comforting to know that children, many of whom have disabilities because of something that went wrong during childbirth, have a safety net.”

In addition to therapy, EI provides family education and counseling, parent support groups, audiology, psychological services, nursing services, nutrition services, vision services, social work services and assistive technology devices and services. Additional detail about EI can be found in The Parent’s Guide to Early Intervention (pdf).

The trial lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict all types of birth injury and birth trauma cases, including cases involving hypoxia, asphyxia, and ischemia which can lead to brain damage, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and other developmental delays. If your child was injured during birth, you, your child and/or your family may be entitled to compensation for lifelong health care, special education, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

To discuss your case or concerns with an experienced Syracuse birth injury and brain injury attorney, contact Bottar Law, PLLC now at (315) 422-3466, (800) 336-LAWS, or by e-mail at info@bottarleone.com.