Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, OT students


Course Description:

This is a one-hour online self-paced course for Early Intervention Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, or Occupational Therapy students that are new or transitioning to the field of Early Intervention. It will discuss the role of the OT in Early Intervention, the key principles of Early Intervention, and the benefits of utilizing a parent coaching model of intervention.


Continuing Education Units: 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU)



Educational Level: Introductory


Instructional Methods:

Video lecture (pre-recorded on Zoom, audio with slides)

Participants must pass an end of course quiz (80%) and complete an end of course survey in order to receive a certificate of completion.



Learning Objectives/Outcomes:

1.Participants will be able to explain the role of the Early Intervention Occupational Therapist.

2.Participants will be able to list the 7 key principles of Early Intervention.

3.Participants will be able to list 3 benefits of parent coaching.

4.Participants will be able to describe the 5 steps of coaching during an EI visit.


Example Curriculum

  Getting Started in Early Intervention
Available in days
days after you enroll

Meet your instructor: Melanie Batista, OTR/L



I'm on a mission to create a community of therapists who are passionate about serving families with young children. To create practitioners who feel confident in their skills, supported in their practice and up to date on the latest research about development and intervention in the field of early childhood.

I'm a licensed pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT in 2000. I am infant massage and SIPT certified. I also have been trained in the SOS feeding approach, Handwriting with Tears and the Therapeutic Listening approach. I've worked in many settings including schools, hospital, NICU, outpatient, academia, Early Intervention and telehealth. Currently, I work in a public school setting serving on the Early Childhood evaluation team as well as in the schools serving preschool and kindergarten aged students.

However, my most important job is being a mom to 2 young, active boys.

My love for working with children started at any early age (I decided to become an OT when I was 14!). My passion for serving other therapists grew after becoming a Fieldwork Educator and later the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and adjunt professor for an Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Around the same time, I was able to experience Early Intervention as a parent after my first son was born premature.

All of these experiences led me to found Growing Little Brains, a website and blog dedicated to helping therapists become more comfortable working in teletherapy and for coaching parents on ways to connect, move and play with their young children. Growing Little Brains mission is to be a reliable source for best practice, parent coaching and child development information to best help a child’s brain learn and grow.

The Therapy Village was created because I am extremely passionate about helping other OTs/COTAs feel confident and supported in their Early Intervention practice. I wanted a place where therapists could collaborate, learn about a variety of topics to support the whole child/family and grow professionally without judgement.

We are better together!




Cancellation Policy:

Learner Cancellation: Learners may cancel at any time. We are happy to refund your money within 30 days of initial purchase if you feel the course is not the right fit for you. Completion a short survey to give us feedback on how to improve the course will be required before issuing your refund. Note: no CEU certificate will be issued in these cases.


Provider Cancellation: If the course is canceled by the provider, attendees can be rescheduled to a future class or a refund can be requested.

ADA Accommodations: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact Melanie at [email protected]. Course format is modules with pre-recorded video lecture/ large print PowerPoint slides and embedded video.



Certificates: Certificates are printable at the end of the course after the survey is completed and exam is passed (80%). If a learner needs a reprint, please contact Melanie at [email protected], or log into the Teachable platform and reprint certificate. Certificates are maintained for 7 years online.

Hear what others are saying about this course:


"This course was instrumental in explaining the importance of family centered/parent coaching approach. Melanie explained these concepts in easy to understand segments which were logical and easy to understand. She used great examples and I feel very confident applying these concepts even out of the EI arena as they are easy to cross over into other areas of therapy and even my own family life."


"The instructor made all key elements easy to understand in manageable blocks and gave very pertinent examples."


"This course was the perfect introduction for new therapists to the field of EI."


"This course was awesome-forwarding to all my team members, both new and experienced, as it is a great overview and refresher for all."

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Want more support in your Early Intervention practice?

Join The Therapy Village today!



The Therapy Village

Advancing your pediatric OT career

Melanie Batista, OTR/L

Melanie Batista, OTR/L

$47/month

Choose a Pricing Option