The Infant & Toddler Connection is a program that helps identify if any developmental delay exists and provides supports and services to address the delay.
Infant & Toddler Connection
The Infant & Toddler Connection (ITC) of the Heartland partners with families of infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, who have developmental delays, disabilities, or atypical development.
Housed at Longwood University, ITC Heartland serves families in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties.
Early intervention is about helping children learn and grow through the everyday moments that already happen at home and in the community. Our providers work alongside families to build on what is already working, address concerns and help children participate more fully in daily routines and activities.
How Early Intervention Works
Families are a child’s first and most important teachers. That’s why early intervention today is centered on partnership and coaching.
Rather than focusing only on what happens during a therapy session, providers work with parents and caregivers to develop strategies they can use throughout the week—during meals, playtime, getting dressed, trips to the park and other everyday routines.
Together, families and providers:
- Identify the family’s priorities and concerns
- Build on the child’s and family’s strengths
- Develop meaningful goals for the child
- Practice strategies that fit naturally into everyday routines
- Adjust services as the child and family’s needs change
Every child and family is different, so early intervention services are individualized to meet their needs and priorities.
Early Intervention Services
Depending on a child’s individual needs, services may include:
- Service coordination
- Developmental services
- Speech-language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Assistive technology
- Audiology
- Family training, counseling and home visits
- Health services
- Nursing services
- Nutrition services
- Psychological services
- Social work services
- Vision services
- Where Services Take Place
Where Services Take Place
Early intervention happens where children naturally live, learn and play.
For most families, services are provided in the home or another familiar setting. Depending on the child and family’s needs, services may also take place in:
- Child care settings
- Parks and playgrounds
- Community locations
- Other places the family regularly spends time
- The ITC Heartland office
Providing services in everyday environments helps families practice strategies where they will be most useful.
Contact ITC Heartland
Have questions about early intervention or want to learn more about services? Contact the ITC Heartland team.
Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland
158 South Street
Farmville, VA 23901
Our office is located in Midtown Farmville, next to Chick-fil-A.
Phone: (434) 395-2967
Fax: (434) 395-2969
Email: leekl@longwood.edu