Frequently Asked Questions

Carolina Therapeutics Early Intervention (CTEI) provides service coordination, family training, and other relevant services to children ages birth to 5 and their families in Greenville, Spartanburg, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

We operate from two South Carolina office locations – Fort Mill and Taylors – allowing us to conveniently serve families in Greenville, Spartanburg, Lancaster and York counties.

CTEI partners with BabyNet, South Carolina’s IDEA Part C early intervention program, to provide service coordination and connect families to BabyNet-approved providers for therapy and support.

CTEI also works alongside DDSN (South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs), to support families of children ages 3-5 who receive early intervention services. We then facilitate a smooth transition to DDSN case management for those with permanent eligibility.

We also partner with the practices within the Carolina Therapeutics network, all of which are approved BabyNet healthcare partners and DDSN-contracted providers. Families are free to choose the providers that meet their needs; working with CTEI does not require that you engage the practices under the Carolina Therapeutics umbrella.

No. Families are free to choose any BabyNet-approved provider they desire.

Working within the Carolina Therapeutics network offers added convenience, more seamless communication between providers, and a unified approach to your child’s services and goals – but it is not required.

CTEI delivers early intervention service coordination and family training. We connect families with the providers they choose from a list of BabyNet healthcare partners and provide associated service coordination and family training services.

The practices within the Carolina Therapeutics network are approved BabyNet healthcare partners and DDSN-contracted providers. Working with CTEI does not require that you engage the practices under the Carolina Therapeutics umbrella.

BabyNet is South Carolina’s early intervention system for children under age 3. A child may qualify based on a diagnosed condition or a documented developmental delay identified through screening or evaluation. BabyNet services are provided at no cost to families, regardless of income.

CTEI’s Service Coordinators handle case management and coordination for early intervention services, connecting families to BabyNet-approved providers.

A BabyNet referral is the process of referring a child under age 3 to South Carolina’s early intervention system for evaluation. CTEI can assist families and providers with submitting therapy referral forms and navigating the intake process.

DDSN (Department of Disabilities and Special Needs) provides long-term support for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, related conditions, or traumatic brain injury. Eligibility is based on diagnosis, age, and functional limitations, not household income.

A child may not qualify for DDSN if they don’t have a qualifying diagnosis (like autism or a related disability), or if their evaluation shows they are meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones. DDSN also requires documentation of delays or challenges in areas like communication, self-care, or learning. If you’re unsure, we can help guide you through the process.

CTEI can help you prepare for and navigate the DDSN intake process, but final eligibility and coordination is handled by DDSN.

Service Coordination for Children Ages Birth to 5: Service Coordinators connect families to early intervention services and, as applicable, child development services.

Family Training: Family Trainers work hands-on with caregivers to promote communication, behavior regulation, play skills, self-help routines, and other identified goals.

Developmental Assessments: We are able to perform a number of developmental assessments, including ADOS assessments for autism.

Maternal Health Services: We support mothers in the months and years after birth through mentorship, breastfeeding support, and pelvic floor therapy.

The benefits of early intervention services include improved developmental milestones, better school readiness, stronger social-emotional development, and reduced need for long-term support. Early support empowers both children and families.

A service coordinator helps families manage care across multiple providers, ensures services align with the child’s needs, and guides them through programs like BabyNet and DDSN South Carolina.

Family trainers provide hands-on coaching, helping caregivers implement strategies during everyday routines. It’s a key component of our family support services.

We provide a variety of developmental assessments and screenings, including:

• ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
• Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP)
• Carolina Curriculum for Infants & Toddlers
• Developmental Profile (DP-4)

These tools help identify signs of developmental delay, such as a delay in walking and talking, and guide service planning.

Developmental screenings are brief checklists to flag potential concerns. Full developmental assessments involve standardized tools to evaluate communication, motor, cognitive, and social-emotional development milestones.