Supporting Children with Medical Complexities: Strengths and Needs in Early Intervention

There is limited research related to Part C Early Intervention (EI) services for families of children with medical complexities (CMC). Given the extensive barriers that CMC and their families experience (e.g., financial hardships, ableism, frequent appointments, mental health problems), it is important that EI providers are equipped to support this unique population. We conducted qualitative interviews with 19 EI providers across the United States about their perceptions of strengths and needs in the field related to supporting CMC. We identified seven categories, including two successes (hard-earned progress, obtaining resources for CMC), two challenges (access barriers, families’ social emotional needs), and three preparation and training strengths/needs (self-teaching and collaborative learning, enhanced training, systemic supports). Implications for policy, personnel preparation and training, and practice can help alleviate the barriers and capitalize on the strengths identified in this study.