Specialization in Early Intervention (SEI) Concentration

SUNY Downstate offers enrolled Occupational Therapy students the opportunity to:

• • Learn about this unique practice area of Early Intervention and Family-Centered Best Practices
  • Expand skills as future occupational therapists working with young children and their families
  • Participate in courses online and in seminar format while simultaneously completing the OT Program, beginning the summer of the second year
  • Engage in a Family Partnership Experience, working closely with a family who participates in the Early Intervention Program
  • Complete early intervention and early childhood Level I/II Fieldwork Experiences
  • Benefit from the collaborations with academic partners of the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene-Bureau of Early Intervention

Progression Criteria

There is no separate admissions process.  Occupational therapy students who desire to enroll in the SEI Concentration must meet the following criteria:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the OT Program
• Maintained good academic standing throughout the program (i.e., never placed on academic probation)
• Be enrolled in the OT Program as a full-time student
• Complete an application demonstrating intent to work in early intervention as a future occupational therapist

Additional information

• Progression into the SEI Concentration is competitive and there are a limited number of seats
• Admission into the Master’s in Occupational Therapy Program does not guarantee admission into the Specialization in Early Intervention Concentration
• Be part of a select cohort with a maximum of 10 students, chosen from an applicant pool of current SUNY Downstate Occupational Therapy Students
• SUNY Downstate's OT Program has a consistent track record in personnel preparation through the support of two U.S. Department of Education OSEP funded grants for the Early Intervention Certificate Program for Occupational Therapists (EICP-OT), #H325A030062 (2003-2009) and the Early Intervention Specialization Program (EISP), #HR325K080338 (2008-2013)

 

Summary of SEIC Elective Courses

OTMS 5215 Introduction to Early Intervention: Students will learn the basics of the EI process from its historical underpinnings to practical guidelines to practice in a variety of EI settings. This course will be provided online with practical assignments and papers, field trips, bulletin board discussion groups, and e-mail communication. During this course the student will participate in approximately six hours of a family partnership experience which will begin in conjunction with this course and continue throughout the SEI.

 

OTMS 5315 Topics in Early Intervention: Students will explore current issues in EI. Topics will include family-centered best practices including embedded coaching and working with families, special patient populations, assessment, and outcome development for IFSP's and Assistive Technology. This course will begin with an online course experience with practical assignments and papers, bulletin board discussion groups, and e-mail communication. Students will continue with the family partnership experience throughout the SEI.

 

OTMS 5107 Occupational Therapy in Early Intervention: This is an elective course that will continue to incorporate embedded coaching model and specific interventions in the practice area of EI, working with children under three years and their families as part of the SEI. This on-site seminar course will require that the student discuss assigned course materials for each seminar meeting, participate in on-line discussions, apply concepts taught in two online courses they have completed and analyze and incorporate common issues in working with young children and families. Students will continue with the family partnership experience throughout the SEI.

 

OTMS 6115 Early Intervention Reflective Seminar: This is an elective course that will be held in conjunction with their Level 2 Fieldwork over the Summer and Fall semesters. Opportunities to discuss their fieldwork experiences in EI and engage in Communities of Practice (CoP) which address dilemmas and solutions in a group effort. Students will also share and discuss Natural Environment Rating Scales (NERS) experience and engage in reflective supervision as part of the SEI. This on-site seminar course will require that the student discuss fieldwork experiences, participate in on-line discussions, apply concepts taught in all online courses they have completed and analyze and incorporate practice issues in working with young children and families.

Kindly contact Principal Investigator, Dr. Brigitte Desport at Brigitte.Desport@Downstate.Edu for more information.

Kindly contact our Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Dr. Jasmin Thomas at jasmin.thomas@downstate.edu, if you are an occupational therapist working in early intervention and want to contribute your knowledge and skills as a Fieldwork Supervisor.