First Steps Agency

FIRST STEPS AGENCY

We are thrilled to announce that Embracing Abilities is now a First Steps Agency!

First Steps clients will be provided with a developmental, enriched, and imaginative environment that will cultivate growth and development for your child.

As a parent, you know your child best, but it can be hard to know what to expect in terms of development. First Steps is Indiana’s go-to resource to help you through the process.

Getting Started

- Take The First Step -

Anyone can refer a child to First Steps. Whether you are a parent, family member, service provider, doctor or someone else in a baby’s or toddler’s life, you can connect that child with First Steps and help them learn and grow.

Contact First Steps directly to assess eligibility for your child or a child you know. If it is determined that a child is eligible and in need of early intervention services after an assessment, a service coordinator will work to get the best available support for your child and family.

Who Is Eligible?

- Eligibility & Criteria -

Families with children from birth to their third birthday who:

Are not reaching appropriate milestones for their age
Are diagnosed with certain conditions

**If you think your child or a child you know may be experiencing developmental delays, contact your physician or First Steps for further information and support. The sooner you reach out to First Steps the more we can do for you and your child.

Milestone Development

First Steps can help you ensure that your child is meeting milestones for his or her age. We will provide resources to help reach speaking, hearing, playing and learning developmental milestones.

Testimonials

“Miles was born with a Chromosome Deletion which impacted the development of his gross motor skills. Up until he was about 6 months old, he couldn’t move any part of his body on his own. First Steps was a huge part of helping him develop and being able to do basic functions. It took 6 months of physical therapy and occupational therapy to help him be able to move his arms on his own. Then another 6 months of working on leg movement. The doctors told us he would never walk, talk or eat on his own. With the help of First Steps therapists, he is doing all of those things on his own independently. With the early interventions and guidance of First Steps, my son is able to walk, jump, play and live his best life.”

“Whittaker received First Steps and applying for services was the best decision we’ve made as parents. Whittaker received OT, PT, SLP, and Developmental. Our First Steps therapists became like family. Our OT helped us create a sensory room (pictured below) as a Christmas gift one year. Everything selected was specific to increasing his proprioceptive input, as she was so attuned to his needs and wanted to help us as parents engage more with our developing baby. “

“Our experience with First Steps was nothing short of amazing. When our son was diagnosed with a rare chromosome deletion we had no idea where to even start with anything. His pediatrician sent in a referral for First Steps and it changed his life! Lucas had mixed muscle tone, which made it hard for everyday activities. He started receiving OT, PT and Developmental therapy around the age of 9 months until he aged out at 3 years old. During that time he made so much progress that we weren’t even sure was possible. He started walking at 2.5 years old and was by far the best thing we had ever seen and to this day doesn’t stop running around.

Not only was First Steps a huge game changer for our son with gross and fine motor skills, it also was what introduced us to waiver services. We had no clue what the waiver or medicaid even was at the time. It was during a therapy session with his occupational therapist that she had mentioned what the waiver was and if we had heard of it. She then got a hold of our service coordinator who walked us step by step of the process and pretty much made it possible for our son to receive the wavier.

Without First Steps our son would have not received the care he needed to reach his full potential at the time and even longer without the waiver services he qualified for. We are beyond appreciative for what they have done for our family.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is First Steps?

First Steps is Indiana’s early intervention program for children birth to age 3 who would benefit from additional support to meet their developmental milestones. First Steps supports families and caregivers by helping their children learn and grow through their family’s everyday activities. Children learn to build relationships with other children and adults, develop independence, play and grow.

What does First Steps look like?

The goal of First Steps is to help Hoosier families make sure their infants and toddlers receive services that work best for their growth and learning along with their family’s needs. We provide services on an individual basis. You and your child are the most important part of the program, and we customize our support services to reflect cultures, priorities and preferred learning styles that best fit your wants and needs. Babies and toddlers develop and learn through meaningful everyday routines with people and places they know. We connect families with services to help wherever it’s most convenient and familiar, many times in-home.

What is early intervention?

Early Intervention describes the services and supports that are available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. This may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other types of services based on the needs of the child and family.

What are developmental delays and disabilities?

Developmental delays and disabilities may include impairment in physical, learning, language or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period and may impact day-to-day functioning beyond a child’s early years.

What are developmental milestones?

Developmental Milestones are skills children learn as they grow. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move.