Evaluation Process

If you believe EIP may benefit your child you child will be evaluated.  This evaluation is called a Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE). “Multidisciplinary” means that a team of qualified professionals from different disciplines or professions will take part in your child’s evaluation. Children with certain diagnosed conditions are automatically eligible for the EIP.

 

Purpose of the MDE TEAM:

• Assess your child’s strengths, needs, and current level of functioning in all areas of development (cognitive, physical, communication, social-emotional and adaptive).

• Your ISC is responsible for discussing all options for evaluation with you from a list of New York State Department of Health approved evaluators. This includes helping you decide which evaluator would be best, based on your child’s needs, the location of the evaluator, types of evaluations performed, and ssetting for the evaluation (home or evaluation agency)

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Next Steps:

• Once you pick an evaluator, either you or your ISC, with your permission, will call the evaluator and make an appointment for your child’s evaluation. You must provide your written consent before the evaluation may take place. The evaluation process must be responsive to your child and family’s cultural background, including the languages spoken at home. 

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What will be in the MDE Report? 

• A health assessment, including vision and hearing screening. 

• An assessment of your child’s strengths and needs in each area of development (physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and adaptive)

•  An interview with you about your concerns related to your child’s development, and what your child is like

• A discussion about your child’s transportation needs if EI services will take place outside the home.

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The results of the MDE will be used to determine your child’s eligibility for the EIP. You and the evaluation team will meet and review all of the information about your child’s developmental progress. The evaluation team will talk with you about whether your child meets the EIP criteria for having a developmental delay, or a diagnosed physical or mental condition, and is eligible for the EIP.