Contact your local Infants and Toddlers Program

What is Infants and Toddlers?

Who should apply?

Families who suspect their child has autism, have a child with an autism diagnosis or any developmental delay.

How to apply?

What is the Extended IFSP option?

Extended IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) Option for Age 3 to Kindergarten effective Feb. 1, 2010.

MSDE was awarded federal stimulus funds to offer families in local Infants and Toddlers Programs the option to extend early intervention services through an IFSP beyond age 3 to kindergarten age. If a child with a current IFSP is determined eligible for special education and related services, Maryland will offer parents the choice of:

1. The Maryland Extended IFSP Option – The child and family would continue to receive early intervention services with an educational component that promotes school readiness and incorporates pre-literacy, language, and numeracy skills through an IFSP until the child enters kindergarten or is eligible to enter kindergarten under Maryland law; OR
2. Special education preschool services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as a student with a disability. However, once a parent consents to special education and related services through an IEP, the child is no longer eligible for services through an IFSP.

For more information, please contact your local Infants & Toddlers program.

Maryland Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Document

Maryland Online IEP
Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) Directions
Official Site of the Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Process Tutorial

Birth to 3: A Family Guide to Early Intervention Services in Maryland (available in 15 languages)