Innovations in Practice in Early Intervention

William M. Coleman

This book offers a good description of specific clinical models of early intervention programs aimed at high risk infants and families, and the book focuses on the hospital setting, the transition to the community, and the community itself. The purpose is to provide the reader with specific examples of successful early intervention programs. Federal legislation, specifically Public Law 99-457, is emphasized, and the authors show how to implement these laws. Because professionals may have difficulty interpreting and specifically implementing these federal laws, the book meets the author's objectives. This book is aimed at pediatricians, neonatologists, family practitioners, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and developmental specialists. It is also useful for hospital and early intervention program administrators, activist parents, and legislators with a special interest in this aspect of healthcare delivery. The contributors are very credible and write from a background of success and achievement. This book includes figures and tables that are useful and easy to read. A few more would have been helpful. The references are pertinent, updated, and from variety of disciplines. The chapters are short and easy to absorb; each chapter has a brief, useful summary. This book is easy to read and addresses a very specific need (community and family involvement and empowerment). It describes specific clinical models, policy-making, implementation, and administrative issues.

From The Critics

Reviewer:William M. Coleman, MD (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine)
Description:This book offers a good description of specific clinical models of early intervention programs aimed at high risk infants and families, and the book focuses on the hospital setting, the transition to the community, and the community itself.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide the reader with specific examples of successful early intervention programs. Federal legislation, specifically Public Law 99-457, is emphasized, and the authors show how to implement these laws. Because professionals may have difficulty interpreting and specifically implementing these federal laws, the book meets the author's objectives.
Audience:This book is aimed at pediatricians, neonatologists, family practitioners, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and developmental specialists. It is also useful for hospital and early intervention program administrators, activist parents, and legislators with a special interest in this aspect of healthcare delivery. The contributors are very credible and write from a background of success and achievement.
Features:This book includes figures and tables that are useful and easy to read. A few more would have been helpful. The references are pertinent, updated, and from variety of disciplines. The chapters are short and easy to absorb; each chapter has a brief, useful summary.
Assessment:This book is easy to read and addresses a very specific need (community and family involvement and empowerment) . It describes specific clinical models, policy-making, implementation, andadministrative issues.

Booknews

This first volume in a series on different aspects of early intervention shows professionals who work with infants and children how to apply new methods for specific needs and populations. Articles address issues including collaboration with mentally retarded parents, emotional development in early intervention, and services for young children with visual impairment; and cover administrative aspects such as recent legislation and a conceptual framework for state policy development. Includes various checklists and questionnaires. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)