Embrace Early Intervention Services

Sometimes, a new dad can be scared of services for their child. Especially a dad who is newly on his own. When a father fights for custody, or fights his ex, he can begin to lose trust with new parts of their child's life. This feeling is normal and it is so important dads learn that he needs to be just as supportive as mom regarding early childhood development. Especially Early Intervention programs.

When a mom and dad split, sometimes people forget to include dad in the discussion for their child's developmental needs. Too often, initial meetings are held without dad. Agencies are beginning to realize dads are not included, and have increased outreach efforts. However, when dads learn about Early Intervention services, they should do the following:

ALWAYS get involved as soon as you can. If you missed a few meetings, check your feelings prior to your the next meeting. Never attend a meeting with an agenda of your own. Coming across abrasive will only worsen things. If you have to express your feelings, use positive messages to get your point across. For example, you can say, "Gee, I missed the first few meetings, however I am sure glad to be a part of  todays meeting. I only want the best for my child." This notifies the team of your disappointment, while letting them know you want to be a part of your child's life.

When your child has recommendations for strategies at home, you should clarify anything you misunderstand, and always follow a treatment plan. This is what is best for you child. Never allow your frustrations to overtake the treatment plan. The greatest impact you can have on your child is participating in their life. Lead the way when it comes to helping your child develop correctly, and people will respect your efforts. This will ensure that you will not be excluded from future meetings.