Therapy

Early Intervention

EI, or Early Intervention, therapy is available for children ages birth-3. It is offered in all states and is free/not paid for by insurance. EI typically provides the following services: Developmental Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Nutrition Services. This service is typically provided in the home, although some EI groups also have day care and preschool programs for children.
To qualify for EI, a child must have a developmental delay or be at significant risk for developmental delay due to their diagnosis (Short Gut often qualifies in itself).
Ask your pediatrician, case manager or hospital social worker how to obtain EI services.
Goals of EI therapy might including helping your child "catch up" or maintain their skills in all areas of development (gross motor, fine motor, language, social and emotional and cognitive). They can also help prevent Oral Aversions and Feeding Problems and problem solve how to keep the child mobile with all the tubes and pumps.
A parent's input is a critical component of EI therapy. You have the right to request a new therapist if someone isn't working out. You have the right to give input regarding the frequency of therapy (once per week vs. once per month). And you have the right to provide input regarding therapy goals.

Additional Therapy (Speech, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy)

Check your primary and secondary insurance policies to see what is covered by your insurance. Often a certain number of therapy sessions are covered per year (20 per year is common).
If you feel your child would benefit, you can supplement your EI therapy time with additional therapy services from a local hospital or agency. This may provide you will additional therapy time or special program (to prevent or treat oral aversions or sensory problems for example).