Using a Music Therapy Collaborative Consultative Approach - World ...

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Dunst et al., 1996; McWilliam, Tocci, & Harbin, 1998). Services may be delivered in the
family’s home, in early childhood intervention centers, in preschools or daycare centers, or in
hospitals or community health centers. The reason for providing services as early as possible
are at least threefold: (1) to enhance the child’s development during her/his state of
maximum readiness for learning; (2) to support the family’s well-being which might be
affected by the child’s condition and affect the child’s development; and (3) to maximize
long-term social and economic benefits to society by decreasing dependency upon social
institutions and increasing the child’s independent performance in society (Wolery &
Wilbers, 1994). The positive consequences and lasting effects of early intervention are
evident in a number of research reports (e.g. Barnett, 1998; Caine & Caine, 1991; Casto &
Mastropieri, 1986; Jonsdottir, 2002; Stern, 1985; Lazar & Darlington, 1982; Schweinhart &
Weikart, 1996).
2.1.2. Inclusion
2.1.2.1 Definitions, Philosophy and Rationale
One aspect of Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education is the inclusion
of children with special needs in their natural environments. Natural environments are
generally thought of as those in which the child would typically spend time, regardless of any
special needs (DEC, 1998; McWilliam, 2000). Given the structure of U.S. society, many
families require out of home care for their young children so that local preschools or fullday
childcare programs are often a natural environment (Cryer, Hurwitz, & Wolery, 1999; Scar,
1998; Willer et al., 1991). Serving young children with special needs in community-based
childcare programs together with their typically developing peers, rather than in special