Who does First Words, Inc. serve?

First Words, Inc. currently contracts exclusively with the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Blue Ridge (ITCBR) to provide services through Early Intervention. These services are available for children from birth to age three within the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, Greene County, Louisa County, and Nelson County.

All providers have experience with the following:

  • Receptive-expressive language delays and disorders

  • Expressive language delays and disorders

  • Pragmatic, or social language, delays and disorders

  • Articulation delays and disorders

  • Phonological disorders

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech

  • Feeding and swallowing impairments

  • Stuttering

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

 

In addition, they have worked with children that have been diagnosed with:

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Autism

  • Asperger's syndrome

  • Down syndrome

  • Hearing impairment

  • Visual impairment

  • Neurological impairments

  • Intellectual disability

  • Learning disability

  • Attention Deficit Disorder

  • Auditory Processing Disorder

 

Where do services take place?

Services are delivered in the comfort and convenience of your home and/or within the Charlottesville community. This setting provides a natural environment for young children, as well as assists with increasing communication and collaboration between the speech-language pathologist and the child's parents or caregivers.

What can I expect from a referral to the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Blue Ridge (ITCBR)?

After the referral is made, a service coordinator will meet with you and your child. At this initial meeting, you have the opportunity to share your specific concerns and a developmental screening is completed. Following this visit, an eligibility determination meeting takes place; professionals review the information gathered and determine whether your child is in need of special services and support through Early Intervention. You will be informed of the outcome. If your child is qualifies for services, an Assessment for Service Planning is then completed. Typically, a team of professionals completes a more thorough parent interview while observing and interacting with your child in order to gain detailed information related to his/her individual strengths and weaknesses. Age equivalents are determined across all developmental areas. This will assist the team in helping you create specific goals to further your child's growth and development within your family's daily routines. Next, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is written so services can begin within 21-30 days. Through the IFSP process, each family has the opportunity to choose their provider. If your child needs speech-language pathology services and First Words, Inc. participates with your insurance, you can choose a provider from this company to assist your child and family. Just let the service coordinator know that you want to work with First Words, Inc.

What region of Virginia does the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Blue Ridge (ITCBR) cover and how can I learn more?

ITCBR provides Early Intervention services to children between birth and three years of age and their families who live within the City of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. Children must demonstrate a developmental delay or meet certain risk factor criteria to qualify for services. You can learn more about this program at www.infantva.org or you can contact Karen Taylor at 434-970-1491 or karen.taylor@regionten.org to make a referral. In addition, First Words, Inc. can assist you with this referral process.