![Parents and two small kids sitting around coffee table playing with building blocks](/-/media/aota-images/practice/family-with-small-children-playing-blocks-together.jpg?cx=0.65&cy=0.48&cw=850&ch=484&hash=AA24B31FF25DFA43FB63D79F966D87F9)
Early Intervention
Occupational therapy practitioners provide early intervention services to support the development and learning of babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.
Resources to support early intervention practice
Review official documents to guide decision making about education, practice, advocacy, and policy and use practical resources to guide early intervention assessment and treatment.
![Practitioner with parent and toddler](/-/media/aota-images/practice/practioner-with-parent-and-toddler.jpeg?cx=0.48&cy=0.45&cw=650&ch=410&hash=0209B634B24EC4E68BF61513133A9A85)
![Three preschool aged kids sitting at classroom table playing with various toys](/-/media/aota-images/practice/young-children-at-daycare-preschool-imagination-play-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=9A067A2C120E99EF7A6498958B00C3C4)
![Baby in high chair with food on face and hand in bowl eating](/-/media/aota-images/practice/baby-in-high-chair-feeding-himself-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0.61&cy=0.75&cw=650&ch=410&hash=D37F9BE7338D30CA64322153C43D86F8)
Occupational Therapy Interventions to Support Feeding and Toileting in Children from Birth to 5 Years
![Toddler and adult in bathroom. Child sits on potty training seat.](/-/media/aota-images/practice/boy-toddler-potty-training-in-bathroom-with-man-parent-or-ot.jpeg?cx=0.33&cy=0.71&cw=650&ch=410&hash=7A75745C15E0668A5785799D3FC7D471)
Toileting for Children & Youth 0–5 Years
![Child sleeping in bed with stuffed bunny](/-/media/corporate/images/publication-news/publication/otp/june-2022/evidenceperks0622-490x251.jpg?cx=0.46&cy=0.5&cw=650&ch=410&hash=9A326DF1581BF15A8E251AEA3DEC47AF)
Sleep in Children and Youth 0–5 Years Old
![Baby in high chair smiling as woman feeds him with blue spoon](/-/media/aota-images/practice/baby-in-high-chair-laughs-at-mother-as-she-spoon-feeds-her-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0.63&cy=0.52&cw=650&ch=410&hash=11F707D415DC1C2870B38126767B1099)
Feeding Interventions for Children and Youth 0–5 Years Old
![Toddler sits on toilet for potty training and gives adult a high five.](/-/media/aota-images/practice/girl-toddler-high-five-with-parent-or-ot-potty-training.jpeg?cx=0.6&cy=0.51&cw=650&ch=410&hash=BE23F23880BA63C2B5ECE15C633318D3)
Evidence-informed intervention ideas: Toileting for children and youth 0–5
![Pen and paper checklist, with some boxes checked off](/-/media/aota-images/practice/checklist.jpeg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=48EEBA896D2D24046916F93807B0C7E9)
Updated CDC Developmental Milestone Checklists
![Desk with stack of magazines and a pair of glasses on top alongside a cup of coffee and a plant](/-/media/aota-images/publications/stack-of-magazines-journals-on-desk-ajot.jpg?cx=0.53&cy=0.75&cw=650&ch=410&hash=937A03E6AA2C1E1FAC735A123C232036)
EBP in Pediatrics
![Toddler wearing a helmet with a casted arm in sling riding a tricycle](/-/media/corporate/images/publication-news/publication/otp/september-2022/cimtfeature0922-490x251.jpg?cx=0.48&cy=0.34&cw=650&ch=410&hash=F910FB6989E4EF8446F754E468DCA253)
Pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy
![Child laying down on their stomach in a swing while playing with balls on the floor](/-/media/corporate/images/publication-news/publication/otp/june-2022/researchupdate0622-490x251.jpg?cx=0.3&cy=0.38&cw=658&ch=512&hash=1A587ECF8F2E624C124BB83FB1131B43)
Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Early Childhood: Birth–5 Years
This Practice Guideline provides stakeholders with a condensed summary of a large number of effectiveness studies. It is a valuable tool for facilitating decision making related to occupational therapy interventions for children ages birth–5 years.
![Woman and child playing with a hammer and block toy](/-/media/corporate/images/publication-news/publication/otp/july-2022/inthecommunity0722-490x251.jpg?cx=0.61&cy=0.59&cw=658&ch=512&hash=3732625EB219EF8F0EFD0D09C6EA15EB)
The Early Childhood Personnel Center
AOTA collaborated with the Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC) and six other national organizations to identify common competencies for service personnel across disciplines. The competencies are used to guide services for infants, young children, and their families. The competencies focus on coordination and collaboration, family-centered practice, evidence-based intervention, and professionalism.
AOTA Continuing Education
Best Practice Methods in Early Intervention Documentation
Interventions Supporting Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health
Coaching Interventions, Team Models, and Approaches in Early Intervention
Articles and books
Expand your early intervention knowledge with the latest research, perspectives, and solutions from occupational therapy practitioners.
![Two babies sitting up holding hands and playing with toys](/-/media/aota-images/practice/babies-holding-hands-interaction-at-daycare-socialization-early-childhood.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=087252BE1EB80696E2EF09B32DD0A469)
![Father holding infant child and feeding with a bottle](/-/media/aota-images/practice/father-bottle-feeding-infant-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0.66&cy=0.39&cw=650&ch=410&hash=C711E3950CB4536E21FBA77BD8B4D450)
![Hand checking off checklist](/-/media/aota-images/practice/hand-checking-off-checklist.jpeg?cx=0.79&cy=0.52&cw=650&ch=410&hash=420E8C865E4444C184930905341CE04B)
![Parent sitting at a table with baby looking at a laptop](/-/media/aota-images/practice/parent-with-baby-looking-at-computer-telehealth.jpeg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=BE8B9DAA0A8BB16035FFF8406AE0D536)
![Young boy in schools with teacher and adult taking notes](/-/media/aota-images/practice/young-boy-in-school-with-teacher-adult-taking-notes.jpg?cx=0.54&cy=0.57&cw=650&ch=410&hash=CFDD03AC238A834D6DE412905E506A9F)
Communicating With Intention: Therapist and Parent Perspectives on Family-Centered Care in Early Intervention
Special Interest Sections and Communities of Practice
Network with your fellow AOTA members and grow in the context of a social learning environment.
![Diverse group of woman with arms around each other smiling in front of gray brick wall](/-/media/aota-images/community/diverse-group-of-female-ots-coworkers-aota-members-community.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=04D5F819EB05B479D10EE50A42AF6EA3)
Children and Youth Special Interest Section
Children & Youth Special Interest Section (CYSIS) members include those who work in programs under Parts B and C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), work with infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents. CYSIS also has a focus on early intervention and school programs.
![Diverse group pf professioanls discussing ideas in a bright place.](/-/media/aota-images/education/diverse-group-professionals-discussing-ideas.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=42DF2FA3199D5F1B3851D297954A9372)
Early Childhood Community of Practice
Addresses the demands of working in this critical phase of the life span to address needs as early as possible to prevent later challenges.
![Woman sitting at desk looking at computer monitor talking to others on virtual meeting](/-/media/aota-images/practice/woman-at-desk-on-a-zoom-call-work-from-home.jpg?cx=0.59&cy=0.44&cw=650&ch=410&hash=F1BF2BD8790E427494EEF73B6B001757)
Pediatric Trauma Community of Practice
Explores evidence-based strategies used to address trauma, share resources, collaborate, and advocate for the role of occupational therapy practitioners in trauma informed care.
![Smiling professional woman holding purse with state government building in background](/-/media/aota-images/advocacy/smiling-professional-female-outside-government-capitol-lobbying-advocacy.jpg?cx=0.6&cy=0.43&cw=575&ch=575&hash=B3951BBB002D4A85495AD46766A2958B)
Advocacy Issues: Schools and early intervention
Learn about why advocacy is so important in primary education and early intervention, and keep up to date with the latest news.