Integrating neurobehavioral concepts into early intervention eligibility evaluation

Most screening and evaluation instruments used in early intervention are li mited in their ability to describe the complex, behavioral repertoire that newborn infants bring to the world. As a result, a traditional eligibility evaluation may not capture the unique behavioral strengths and needs of eac h infant. The integration of qualitative neurobehavioral observation into t he initial eligibility evaluation enriches both the process and the results for parents and interventionists. By combining traditional evaluation tool s with neurobehavioral observation, early interventionists can better meet the needs of parents in the early weeks following homecoming while also com plying with the intent of the federal and state legal mandates.