Early Intervention and Brain Development: Can Babies Wait?
Azar M. Hadadian, Ph.D; Kourtland R. Koch, Ph.D.

Abstract
Due to the critical window of brain plasticity and the impact of the quality of parent-child interaction on child development, stakeholders, to include the United States Congress, are urged to take serious note of the available research and mandate changes that would lead to more cohesive and coordinated early intervention services across the United States. Atpresent, all 50 states in the United States of America are providing early intervention services for young, eligible children with special needs. Eligibility for services is based on a cross-categorical label of developmental delay. At the same time provisions of IDEIA, Part C provides each state with the freedom of how developmental delay is defined in their respective state. The occurrence of determining developmental delay has created numerous discrepancies and variations now trans versingall states and will require a re-examination of current policies.

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