How to Request an Early Intervention Evaluation in Your State

If you're worried about your child's development and they're under age 3, you don't have to wait. You can request a free evaluation through your state's Early Intervention (EI) program — no doctor's referral needed, no diagnosis required.

This article walks you through the full process. You'll learn who qualifies, how to make the call, what happens next, and what to bring to the evaluation. For a complete overview of the program, start with our Early Intervention (Birth to 3): A Parent's Complete Guide.

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Key Takeaways

• Any parent can self-refer. You don't need a doctor's note, a diagnosis, or paperwork to request an evaluation.
• Evaluations are always free. Federal law guarantees this for every family, regardless of income or insurance.
• The 45-day clock starts at referral. Your state must complete the evaluation and hold an initial planning meeting within 45 days.
• A diagnosis is not required to qualify. Developmental delay in any area — movement, speech, play, social skills — can make your child eligible.
• You have rights throughout this process. You must give written consent before any service begins, and you can disagree with results.

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What Is Early Intervention — and Who Can Qualify?

Early Intervention is a federal program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It serves children from birth through age 2 — up to, but not including, the third birthday.

A child may qualify if they have:

• A developmental delay in one or more areas: gross or fine motor skills, communication, cognitive development, social-emotional skills, or adaptive (self-care) skills
• A diagnosed condition that commonly leads to delay — such as Down syndrome, hearing loss, vision impairment, or cerebral palsy
• Established risk factors that make delay more likely (criteria for this category vary by state)

The threshold for delay varies too. Some states use a 25% delay in one area; others use a 20% delay in two areas. You don't need to know the exact cutoff before calling. That's what the evaluation is for.

According to the ECTA Center (Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center), early identification and referral are among the most powerful tools for improving long-term outcomes for young children. The earlier services begin, the greater the developmental benefit.

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How to Make a Referral: Step by Step

The process is simpler than most parents expect.

Step 1: Find your state's Early Intervention program.

Use the CDC's state Early Intervention contacts page to find the right number for your state. You can also search "[your state] early intervention referral."

Step 2: Call or submit a referral form.

Most states accept referrals by phone. Some have online options. Referrals can also come from:

• Your child's pediatrician or specialist
• A hospital, NICU, or home visiting nurse
• A childcare provider or early childhood program
• A family member, neighbor, or anyone concerned about your child

Step 3: Share basic information.

You'll give your child's name, date of birth, your contact details, and a brief description of your concerns. You don't need documentation or records yet.

Step 4: A service coordinator will reach out.

Within a few business days, a service coordinator will contact you. This person guides your family through the entire process. They'll explain what comes next, answer your questions, and schedule the evaluation.

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Federal Timelines You Should Know

Federal law sets firm deadlines that your state must follow.

From the day your referral is accepted:

• 45 days: The evaluation must be completed AND an initial planning meeting must be held within 45 calendar days.
• Exceptions: The clock can pause if your child is hospitalized, if the family is unavailable, or if there are documented extraordinary circumstances — but these must be noted in writing.

If your state is falling behind, ask your service coordinator for a written explanation. You are entitled to one. If you believe your state is out of compliance, the ECTA Center's state compliance resources include state-by-state data on timelines and dispute resolution options.

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What to Bring to the Evaluation

The evaluation is free. It typically takes place in your home, a childcare setting, or another community location — somewhere familiar to your child.

Come prepared with:

• A written list of your concerns — it's easy to forget details in the moment, so write them down beforehand
• Medical and birth records — especially anything related to premature birth, NICU stays, hearing screens, or specialist visits
• Developmental records — growth charts or visit notes from your child's pediatrician if available
• Insurance card — evaluations are free under IDEA, but some states bill insurance as a secondary payer; you will not be charged if insurance declines
• A support person — a partner, grandparent, or advocate can help take notes, ask questions, and remember details you might miss

During the evaluation, a team of specialists will observe your child playing and interacting. They may also ask you structured questions about what your child does at home. You'll see your child tested, but not in a stressful way — most of it looks like play.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) notes that natural environments are the preferred setting for both EI evaluations and services. Children show their most accurate skills in familiar places.

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What Happens After the Evaluation?

You'll receive a written evaluation report. It describes your child's current skills in every developmental area and notes where delays were found.

If your child is found eligible:

The team will schedule an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting — part of the same 45-day window. This is the meeting where you and the team set goals together and decide which services to put in place.

You are an equal member of this team. No service begins without your written consent. To understand what the IFSP is, how it works, and how it compares to the school-age IEP, see our sibling article: IFSP vs. IEP: What Parents Need to Know.

For a full breakdown of which supports may be offered — speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental instruction, and more — see What Early Intervention Services Are Available? A Discipline-by-Discipline Guide.

If your child's evaluation raised concerns about speech or language, our Pediatric Speech Therapy Guide covers what to expect from that type of support. If autism was mentioned during the process, our Therapy for Autism: Parent's Roadmap explains the next steps in plain language.

If your child is found ineligible:

You can request an independent evaluation at public expense. You can also ask your service coordinator what milestones to watch for and re-refer at any time if concerns grow. Eligibility can change.

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What to Expect as Your Child Approaches Age 3

Early Intervention ends at your child's third birthday. If your child is still receiving services at that point, transition planning must begin at least 90 days before the birthday.

Your service coordinator is required to connect you with your local school district and discuss what options — if any — may continue after age 3. This can feel like a stressful cliff, but it doesn't have to be. Our guide Transitioning Out of Early Intervention at Age 3: A Parent's Roadmap walks through every step of this process in detail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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You have more power in this process than you may realize. Federal law is on your side. The timeline is firm. The evaluation is free. And your voice matters at every step.

For everything you need to understand about Early Intervention — from eligibility to services to what happens at age 3 — return to our full guide: Early Intervention (Birth to 3): A Parent's Complete Guide.

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment, or individualized recommendations, consult your pediatrician or a licensed therapist. FindKidTherapy is a directory of independent pediatric therapy providers; we are not a medical provider and do not provide therapy services.

Authored by the FKT Editorial Team.