Early Intervention (EI)
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Pre-School Prep
If you’re wondering how to prepare your child for preschool or have questions about their transition from home to the classroom, check out this helpful resource from Zero-to-Three! It's a great way to get a little extra family support while your child embarks on their biggest adventure yet.
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Central Oahu EI’s New Home
Our Central Oahu EI program relocated to its new location on August 9th! Now located in the Mililani Tech Park area, the space provides the same great program with much greater accessibility to families living within the service area. While Central Oahu families received our recent announcement, we’re celebrating this wonderful new space across the Easterseals Hawaii team!
Our new address is:
100 Kahelu Avenue, Suite 230
Mililani, HI 96789
Limiting In-Person Visits
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the Department of Health – Early Intervention Section (EIS) is limiting in-person visits to once per month for clients on the islands of Oahu and the Big Island. Families impacted by this update will be contacted by the program to coordinate services as needed. You can review the statement from EIS and Easterseals Hawaii's annoucement.
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Home and Community-Based Services
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With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Hawaii, the Department of Health – Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) has released recommendations for protecting DDD participants. It’s important we all continue to stay informed of new developments, practice effective safety measures and do our part to reduce the spread!
- Get vaccinated to prevent severe illness from COVID-19. You can check for vaccination centers near you as well as information on vaccines and ways to get involved.
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- Wear a mask in public indoor settings, even if fully vaccinated, to help protect others.
- Encourage your family, friends and community to do their part to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. You can post on social media using #HIGotVaccinated or update your profile photo to show your support!
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Autism Services
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As a parent or caregiver, you know how your child with autism responds to change. You, better than anyone, can anticipate how your youngster or teen will react to the newness of starting school or a new school year. Read below for tips from UC Davis Health on how you can help prepare your loved one for the transition.
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- School may mean altered sleep and meal schedules. Shaping and practicing your school day routines ahead of time can help prepare your child and get them more comfortable with change when school begins.
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- Meeting the teacher(s) and visiting the classroom(s), the lunchroom and even the bathrooms before the first day of school may increase your child’s comfort level, confidence and even excitement!
- What smells, textures, temperatures, sights and sounds will be different at school? Sending your child to school with familiar food, a jacket or cooler clothing and sensory supports (like headphones for a noisy lunchroom or a squeeze toy for anxious moments) may provide comfort.
- Your child may encounter unfamiliar toys and materials. Taking a favorite object to class may be reassuring.
- There may be new faces or increased social demands. Preparing your child by frequently reading a story about meeting new friends could give structure and meaning to an otherwise confusing experience. You can even ask your Care Team to help you build a custom story!
- Communicate behavior expectations for the classroom. You can reduce frustration by letting the teacher know how your child listens and communicates best, and what reinforcers will work to increase desired behavior.
We all benefit from preparing for life's changes. The steps you take with your child will help them be ready for the upcoming school year.
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ESH Office Closures
All Easterseals Hawaii offices and services will be closed in observance of the holidays below.
- Friday, August 20 — Statehood Day
- Monday, September 6 — Labor Day
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