Infant and Toddler Intervention Services

Guidelines for Making Eligibility Decisions

The information below is meant as a guide to assist those working to determine the eligibility status of an infant or toddler under the age of three for Infant and Toddler Intervention (Part C) services.

The absence of a specific diagnosis or condition listed on this web site does not automatically rule out a child's eligibility status. Sometimes in order to provide a definite "yes" or "no" answer, you may need to obtain additional information from the child's health care provider, as well as compile available developmental outcome information related to the condition. Eligibility technical assistance is available from the MN Department of Health at 651/201-3641 or health.mcshn@state.mn.us.

An infant or toddler under the age of three is eligible for infant and toddler intervention services if the child:

1.	Meets the criteria for any one of the thirteen special education disability categories (as defined in MN Administrative Rules):
	Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Deaf-Blind Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Deaf and Hard of Hearing Developmental Cognitive Disability Other Health Disabilities Physically Impaired Severely Multiply Impaired Specific Learning Disability Speech or Language Impairments Visually Impaired Traumatic Brain Injury
	OR
2.	The child meets one of the following criteria for developmental delay:
	a.	the child is experiencing a developmental delay that is demonstrated by a score of 1.5 standard deviations or more below the mean, as measured by the appropriate assessment and evaluation procedures, in one or more of the following areas:
			Cognitive development;
			Physical development, including vision and hearing;
			Communication development;
			Social or emotional development;
			Adaptive development.
	OR
	b.	the child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition or disorder with a high probability of resulting in a delay, regardless of whether the child is currently demonstrating a need or delay.(Click here to see list of examples.)

Definitions and Frequently Asked Questions:

	What does "Conditions or disorders with a high probability of resulting in a delay" mean?
	“High probability” means that current research findings indicate that at least 50% of children with a given condition will experience a developmental delay in one or more areas of development (five areas are listed above) at school age. Click here to see list of examples.
	What does "assessment and evaluation procedures" mean?
	Assessment and evaluation are completed by a licensed professional (i.e. special education teacher, psychologist) in cooperation with a child's parents. There are numerous tools that may be used depending on a child's age and ability. See also > Evaluation as defined in MN Administrative Rules 3525.1350 Subp 4. See also > Evaluation and Assessment as defined by the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
	Is there a list of example conditions with a high probability of resulting in a delay at school age?
	How will I know if a condition is one that meets the eligibility criteria if the condition is not listed?
	What does "Informed Clinical Opinion" mean?
	"Informed Clinical Opinion makes use of qualitative and quantitative information to assist in forming a determination of eligibility regarding difficult-to-measure aspects of current developmental status and the potential need for early intervention. Appropriate training, previous experience conducting evaluation, sensitivity to cultural needs, and the ability to elicit and include family perceptions are all important elements of Informed Clinical Opinion. In using Informed Clinical Opinion, the individual evaluator and the multidisciplinary team seek to answer the question “What are the child's abilities and needs within his/her natural environment?" (For more information, see National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center - May, 2002 [PDF: 4 pages / 49KB])

Other resources in Minnesota for early intervention services:

Minnesota Department of Education - Early Learning Services

To view PDF files, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from Adobe's Web site)

If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact the Minnesota with Special Health Needs Section at health.mcshn@state.mn.us or call 1-800-728-5420.