Early Intervention Services in NYC · Now Accepting Families
Helping NYC's youngest children reach their full potential.
98%
Family satisfaction
Licensed OTs
State certified
Ages 0–18
Infants to teens
Home & Clinic
Plus tele-therapy
Insurance
Most plans accepted
New York State Early Intervention Program
The most important window in your child's development.
New York State’s Early Intervention program provides free, family-centered developmental services for children under 36 months who have a confirmed delay or disability or who are at risk of one. Services are delivered in natural environments: your home, your child’s daycare, a park, wherever your family lives their daily life.
At Nexus, our Early Intervention specialists evaluate your child’s development across all domains communication, motor skills, cognition, social-emotional development and self-care then coordinate a personalized IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) built around your priorities as a family.
How do I know if my child qualifies for Early Intervention?
Recognizing the early signs
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are clear milestones where a significant delay signals that a free evaluation is the right next step. Early identification is the single most powerful factor in long-term outcomes. If two or more of these signs have lasted a month or longer, request an evaluation today.
Children may qualify for Early Intervention if they show:
– No smiling or social response to familiar faces by 3 months
– Not babbling, pointing or using gestures by 12 months
– No single words by 16 months or no two-word phrases by 24 months
– Not walking independently by 18 months or difficulty with coordinated movement
– Significant difficulty with feeding, swallowing or oral-motor skills
– Noticeable regression losing skills they previously had at any age
Conditions We Address
What does Early Intervention in NYC treat?
Our licensed Early Intervention specialists evaluate and support infants and toddlers across the full range of developmental, neurological and medical conditions that affect learning and growth in the first three years of life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
early communication, social engagement, sensory processing and play skills before a formal ASD diagnosis is required
Speech and language delays
late talkers, limited vocabulary, difficulty understanding directions and pre-language communication
Gross motor delays
late sitting, crawling, standing or walking; low muscle tone and coordination difficulties
Personalized services designed around your child and family
Our Early Intervention team delivers coordinated, play-based support across every developmental domain always in your child’s natural environment.
Speech-Language Therapy
Supporting early communication, language development, social engagement and feeding skills for infants and toddlers. Our SLPs use naturalistic, relationship-based strategies that fit into everyday family routines.
Physical Therapy
Building gross motor strength, balance, coordination and mobility milestones from birth through age 3. Sessions focus on movement in real-world contexts floor play, transitions, outdoor exploration.
Occupational Therapy
Developing fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care routines and play skills. Our OTs work alongside families to embed therapeutic strategies into feeding, dressing and daily activities.
Special Instruction
Cognitive, social-emotional and adaptive development support delivered through play-based learning activities. Specialists help children develop problem-solving, attention and early learning readiness skills.
Service Coordination
Every eligible family is assigned a dedicated service coordinator who manages the evaluation process, arranges services, attends IFSP meetings and connects families with community resources throughout the program.
Family Training & Coaching
Progress happens in the hours between sessions. Our therapists coach caregivers with practical strategies so parents, grandparents and daycare providers can support development in every interaction throughout the day.
From first call to confident progress
A simple, family-centered process designed so parents always know what's next.
Initial Consultation
Share your concerns, history and goals.
Evaluation
Standardized assessments and play observation.
SLP Evaluation
Standardized assessments and play observation.
Therapy Begins
1–2 sessions per week, 45–60 min.
Progress Reviews
Re-measured every 3 months.
Transition
Discharge plan or move to other support.
Early Intervention services across the Tri-State area
Our licensed Early Intervention team serves families throughout New York City and the surrounding region. All services are delivered in your child’s natural environment home, daycare, or community setting.
New York City
Manhattan
Brooklyn
Queens
Bronx
Staten Island
Long Island
Nassau County
Suffolk County
New Jersey
Newark
Jersey City
Paterson
Elizabeth
Edison
Trenton
Connecticut
Stamford
Bridgeport
New Haven
Norwalk
Waterbury
Questions parents ask us most.
Real answers to the questions we hear from NYC families every week. Don’t see your question? Our coordinators are one call away.
Does my child need a diagnosis to qualify for Early Intervention?
No. In New York State, a formal diagnosis is not required to receive Early Intervention services. Your child qualifies if an evaluation shows a 33% delay in one developmental area, or a 25% delay in two or more areas. Our evaluators assess all children referred to us regardless of whether a diagnosis has been given by a doctor.
Is Early Intervention really free?
Yes. New York State’s Early Intervention program is fully funded for eligible children. There is no out-of-pocket cost to families for evaluations or services. If your child has insurance, the state may bill it as a secondary payer, but you will never receive a bill and your benefits will not be reduced or affected in any way.
How do I refer my child or get an evaluation?
You can self-refer by calling the NYC Early Intervention Program directly, or your child’s pediatrician, hospital or childcare provider can refer on your behalf. You can also contact Nexus and our service coordinators will guide you through the referral process from start to finish.
What happens when my child turns 3?
Early Intervention services end when a child turns 3. If your child still needs support, they transition to the Preschool Special Education (CPSE) program through your local school district. Our service coordinators begin the transition planning process at least 6 months before your child’s third birthday so there is no gap in services.
How often will my child receive therapy?
Session frequency is determined by your child’s IFSP and individual needs typically 2–5 sessions per week across all service types combined. Each session is usually 30–60 minutes. Our coordinators work with families to schedule sessions at times that fit naturally into daily routines.
Start your child's Early Intervention journey today
Talk to a Nexus coordinator in minutes. We explain the process, answer your questions, and help you start the referral at no cost to your family.