Defined by IDEA 04 as an individual under age 3 who would be likely to experience a substantial developmental delay if early intervention services are not provided.
Emotional abuse
A pattern of behavior that impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance.
Neglect
Failure to provide for a child's basic needs, which may be medical, educational, or emotional.
Physical abuse
Physical injury with the intent to hurt as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting, burning, or otherwise harming a child.
Prevention
An outcome of the process of intervention in an effort to avert learning and/or emotional and social disorders.
Protective factors
Factors that may intervene with the harm caused by risk factors, explaining the resiliency of some children.
Risk factors
Those elements of life that can contribute to the probability of developmental delays if no intervention is provided.
Sexual abuse
Activities such as fondling a child's genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or production of pornographic materials.
