Applying the Developmental Systems Approach to Inclusive Community-Based Early Intervention Programs

A developmentally oriented framework is presented designed to establish or enhance the quality of inclusive community-based early intervention systems. This conceptually and empirically integrated developmental approach supports a comprehensive family-centered model. Outlined is a process that coordinates children's goals with family priorities, identifies developmental pathways most likely to influence those goals, guides the selection of objectives and intervention activities, and provides an approach for evaluation and problem solving. Principles of relationships, comprehensiveness, and continuity are central to this framework and address the general problem of "what to implement" in inclusive community-based early childhood programs.