17 Early Interventionist Interview Questions and Answers

Early interventionists work with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities. They develop and implement treatment plans to help these children develop the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.

If you’re interested in becoming an early interventionist, you’ll need to go through a job interview. This guide includes sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the latest developments in early intervention?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are up-to-date on the latest developments in your field. They want to know that you can adapt to new methods and techniques as they become available. In your answer, try to mention a few of the most recent changes or advancements in early intervention.

Example: “I am very familiar with the latest developments in early intervention. For example, I have attended several conferences where experts shared their research about how best to help children with autism spectrum disorder. One thing I learned is that we should focus more on teaching social skills rather than trying to eliminate behaviors like hand flapping. Another development I’m excited about is the increase in funding for early intervention programs. The government recently passed legislation that will provide additional funds for states that meet certain criteria.”

What are some of the most important skills an early interventionist should have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in your role as an early interventionist. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the skills that are most important to you and why they’re important.

Example: “The two most important skills for me are patience and organization. As a parent of a child with special needs, I know how challenging it can be to navigate the system. Having patience is essential because sometimes parents may get frustrated or overwhelmed. It’s my job to make sure they feel supported and understood. Organization is also very important because there are so many details involved in working with children who have special needs. Being organized helps me ensure that I’m meeting all of their needs.”

How would you handle a situation where a parent was resistant to your suggestions?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to maintain a positive relationship with parents. In your answer, try to show that you value the parent’s opinion while also demonstrating your confidence in your own abilities as an early interventionist.

Example: “I would first ask the parent why they were resistant to my suggestions. I believe it is important to listen to all perspectives and opinions when working with families. If the parent was still resistant after our conversation, I would continue to work with them on their goals for their child but make sure to document any concerns or disagreements we had so that our supervisor could address them.”

What is your process for evaluating a child’s progress and determining if changes need to be made to your treatment plan?

The interviewer will want to know how you use your skills and expertise to evaluate a child’s progress and make adjustments as needed. Your answer should demonstrate that you have the ability to assess data, interpret results and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Example: “I start by reviewing my notes from our last session together. I then review any documentation of their current developmental milestones and compare them to what they were able to do at their last appointment. If there are any discrepancies between the two, I will work with the parents to create an individualized plan for helping the child reach their goals.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to advocate for a child and their needs.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can advocate for a child’s needs. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you successfully advocated for a child and the positive outcome that resulted from your advocacy.

Example: “In my previous role as an early interventionist, I worked with a family who had a child with autism. The parents were very concerned about their son’s development because he wasn’t speaking at all by age two. I met with them to discuss their concerns and explain why some children develop slower than others. We decided together that we would focus on developing his motor skills before focusing on speech. By age three, he was speaking in full sentences.”

If a child in your care was diagnosed with a condition you were unfamiliar with, how would you research it and learn more?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to learn new information and apply it to your work. Use examples from previous experiences where you researched a condition or disorder, learned about its symptoms and how to best support the child.

Example: “When I first started working as an early interventionist, I had a case with a child who was diagnosed with autism. At that time, I didn’t have much experience with autism, so I did some research on the disorder and read up on different treatment methods. After learning more about autism, I implemented strategies into my care plan for the child that helped them develop their communication skills.”

What would you do if you noticed a staff member was consistently showing up late or not showing up at all?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle conflict and ensure the safety of children. In your answer, show that you understand the importance of punctuality and how it affects a team’s ability to work together effectively. Explain what steps you would take to address the issue with the staff member and help them improve their time management skills or other factors contributing to their tardiness.

Example: “I believe that punctuality is one of the most important qualities in an early interventionist because it shows respect for both the child and the parents. If I noticed a staff member was consistently showing up late, I would first try to talk to them about it privately. If they were unable to provide me with a valid reason for being late, I would hold a meeting with all staff members to discuss the importance of arriving on time every day. I would also offer tips and strategies for improving their punctuality.”

How well do you handle stress on the job?

Early interventionists often work with children who have special needs. These children can be challenging to work with, which can cause stress for the early interventionist. Employers ask this question to make sure you are able to handle stressful situations on the job. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and provide an example of a time when you did so successfully.

Example: “I am very good at managing stress. I find that if I take a few deep breaths before entering a situation where I might feel stressed, it helps me calm down. For example, once I was working with a child who had autism. He was having a meltdown because he wanted to play with his toy but didn’t want to eat his lunch first. I took some deep breaths and reminded myself that he couldn’t control his emotions. After taking a few deep breaths, I was able to calmly talk to him about why he needed to eat his lunch before playing.”

Do you have any experience working with special needs children?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and how you might fit into the role. If you have no experience working with special needs children, consider sharing a similar experience or discussing what makes you qualified for this position.

Example: “I worked as an early interventionist at a local hospital where I helped families learn about their child’s diagnosis and provided support to parents who were learning how to care for their child. This was my first job in early intervention, so I learned alongside the families I supported. As I gained more experience, I became more confident in my abilities and developed strategies to help families overcome challenges.”

When is it appropriate to call a parent in to observe a therapy session?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work with parents and communicate effectively. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, active listening skills and the importance of involving parents in their child’s therapy sessions.

Example: “I call a parent into a session when I notice that a child is having trouble following directions or responding to my questions. If they are not actively participating in the session, it can be difficult for me to know if they understand what we’re doing. In these situations, I try to engage them as much as possible so that I can get an idea of how well they understand the activities we’re performing.”

We want to create a positive and welcoming environment for our clients and staff. How would you make sure everyone feels comfortable and at ease around you?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with others. They want to know that you can make people feel comfortable, welcome and appreciated in their environment. In your answer, try to highlight your communication and interpersonal skills.

Example: “I think it’s important for everyone to feel comfortable and at ease around me. I would start by making sure my own behavior is positive and welcoming. I would also be sure to greet everyone who enters the room or building each day. For example, if a child was having a meltdown, I would go over to them and calmly introduce myself. Then, I would let them know that they are safe and we will help them get through whatever they’re experiencing.”

Describe your process for building a rapport with a child you’ve just met.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with children. This is an important skill for early interventionists because they often work with children who have little or no experience interacting with others. When answering, try to describe a specific example of how you did this in the past.

Example: “When I first meet a child, I always introduce myself and shake their hand. Then, I let them know that we’re going to be spending some time together and that I’m there to help them however I can. After that, I usually start by asking them what their favorite color is or if they like animals. It helps me get to know them better while also giving them something familiar to talk about.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for an early interventionist position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the role. They want someone who is passionate about working with children, has a background in early childhood education and can work well as part of a team. When preparing for this question, think about what makes you qualified for this position. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that make you an ideal candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about helping children reach their full potential. I have worked with young children for many years, so I know how to help them develop important life skills. I also understand the importance of teamwork when it comes to providing quality care. In my previous job, I was part of a team of early interventionists, and we all helped each other provide excellent care to our clients.”

Which early intervention techniques do you prefer to use?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with different techniques and how you apply them to the job. Use examples from your previous work or education to explain which methods you prefer and why.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working with children who are nonverbal, so I prefer using PECS and sign language as my primary communication tools. These methods allow me to communicate with kids in their own terms, which helps build confidence and independence. In addition, these techniques also help parents learn how to support their child’s development at home.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of your job as an early interventionist?

This question can help interviewers understand your priorities and how you would approach the job. Your answer should show that you value the needs of children with disabilities and their families, as well as the importance of teamwork in your role.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of my job is helping parents navigate the early intervention system and advocating for their child’s best interests. I know that many families feel overwhelmed when they first learn about their child’s diagnosis, so it’s important to me that I am available to answer questions and provide support throughout the process. I also believe that collaboration is key to providing quality care, so I make sure to communicate openly with other professionals on a regular basis.”

How often should you update a child’s treatment plan?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the treatment process and how often you should update a child’s plan. Use examples from your experience to explain how frequently you update a child’s plan, what information you include in each update and why it is important to keep records of these updates.

Example: “I usually update a child’s treatment plan every three months or when I notice any changes in their development. For example, if a child starts walking at six months old, but then stops walking by nine months old, I would update their plan to reflect that they are no longer developing as expected. This way, I can ensure that I am providing the best care for the child and make sure that my notes are accurate and up-to-date.”

There is a new treatment method that has shown promising results with children like yours. How would you incorporate it into your sessions?

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to adapt and change with new information. It also helps them determine how you would implement a new program into the center’s existing structure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you will always follow the lead of the director or supervisor when implementing changes.

Example: “I am constantly researching new methods for working with children who have special needs. If I learned about a new method that could benefit my current students, I would discuss it with my supervisor before trying it out in sessions. This is because I want to make sure we are using the most effective treatment methods possible.”