North Shore Early Intervention | Aspire Developmental Services

Aspire’s Early Intervention Program was established in 1974. With our headquarters in Lynn, the program provides services to more than 3,500 children and their families on the North Shore each year.

Aspire serves the following cities and towns: Danvers, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus and Swampscott.

Committed to Helping Every Child Reach their Full Potential

Aspire’s Early Intervention program provides support and resources for family members and caregivers to enhance the development and learning of infants and toddlers who are not reaching expected milestones or are at risk of developmental delays. Our goal is to maximize the potential of each child through individualized, developmentally appropriate interventions embedded in everyday activities. All services are provided in the child’s natural environment, with familiar people in familiar places. Services are most successful when families and caregivers participate in activities that reflect the family’s and child’s priorities, learning styles, culture and community.

Who is eligible?

A child may be eligible for the program if he/she:

Having difficulty reaching age-appropriate milestones

Has a diagnosis that may result in a developmental delay

Is at risk for developmental delays due to a variety of biological or environmental factors

Little girl riding a rocking horse and smiling from enjoyment

Sideway shot of little girl in red and yellow pedal kid car

What services are available?

Aspires’ professional Early Intervention staff, representing a variety of disciplines: physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, mental health clinicians, social workers and developmental specialists, will work in partnership with parents or other caregivers throughout the process of assessment, intake, development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and planning for ongoing services. EI services are provided in the child’s natural environment which could be at home, in a childcare program, or other community settings. However due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Aspire has transitioned to include telehealth as part of our program. Aspire continues to offer all early intervention services in a single or blended format. Intakes, assessments and home visits can be held in an in-person or telehealth platform. Our goal is to work with our families, to find the right comfort level while following the state’s guidance for the safety of families and staff, using both in-person and telehealth.

Developmental evaluations

Home visiting services by developmental specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, social workers and mental health clinicians

Service coordination and transition planning

Education and support to caregivers and local child-care providers

Parent-child groups and toddler-only groups

* Making A Referral *

Children can be referred to the Aspire Early Intervention program by parents, pediatricians, caregivers, teachers, friends or other professionals. Families may also contact our program directly, click here.

There is no out-of-pocket cost to eligible children and families for Early Intervention services. A prescription or insurance referral from a health care provider is not needed. Private health insurance and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health cover Early Intervention services.

If you have questions about the Early Intervention program, please contact us at 781-593-2727.

Success Stories

Ray Tarpinian

To see Ray Tarpinian playing T-ball with his friends, cruising around on his micro scooter or romping in the backyard with his older sister, one would never know that he had suffered a serious health scare earlier in his life — one that could have permanently impaired his balance, coordination and communication skills.

Early Intervention

Make a Referral

Family Rights