Those two districts must spend 15 percent of the money they receive for special education services on early-intervention programs, such as literacy or behavioral-support programs.

The early-intervention program begins with sign language as the primary means of communication.

For example, many states provide free early-intervention programs for children with Down syndrome up to age 3 to help them get off to a good start.

If an economically disadvantaged child is not in an early-intervention program, they are more likely to be retained, require remedial services or drop out.

Leah began an early-intervention program and began attending therapy four times a week.

You can find the early-intervention program in your area by calling your local school district or state department of education.

There also needs to be increased funding for existing early-intervention programmes delivered by local providers.

A. Because they were very young, I was able to have speech therapy through the Department of Health's early-intervention program at my house.

Schools need to strengthen early-intervention programs and classroom instruction for all students, which means paying closer attention to what and how teachers teach.

I feel lucky that I provided my child with a state-of-the-art private early-intervention program.