ETS Domain: Treatment

Praxis 5331 Early Intervention Questions

Early intervention (EI) items on the Praxis 5331 test whether you understand the IDEA Part C service model — family-centered, natural environments, coaching, and the IFSP. Scenarios often place you in a home visit and ask what you should prioritize, whom you should coach, and how services differ from school-age (Part B) practice.

Why this topic matters

EI is a distinct service delivery model with unique legal and philosophical requirements.
ETS regularly tests the IFSP-vs-IEP distinction and the natural-environments mandate.
Coaching parents rather than delivering direct 1:1 child therapy is the modern evidence-based approach — a common test trap.

High-yield concepts

IDEA Part C covers birth through age 2; services delivered under an IFSP in natural environments.
IFSP includes family outcomes, not just child outcomes — a legal distinction from the IEP.
Natural environments = home, childcare, community — not the clinic room.
Coaching model: SLP builds parent's capacity between visits; direct child-only therapy is discouraged.
Primary service provider (PSP) model: one provider consults with a team rather than parallel siloed services.

Sample practice questions

Try answering before revealing the rationale — mark misses to retry later.

Q1.During a home visit for a 22-month-old with a language delay, the SLP notices the parent is quiet and lets the SLP work directly with the child. The most appropriate response is to:

A.Continue direct therapy and email the parent a written summary
B.Coach the parent through routines-based strategies during the visit
C.Recommend clinic-based sessions instead
D.Reduce visit frequency because the parent is disengaged

Show answer & rationale

Correct: B. Best-practice EI is coaching-based — the SLP builds the parent's capacity to embed strategies in daily routines. Direct-only therapy without parent involvement is inconsistent with Part C requirements.

Q2.The IFSP differs from an IEP primarily because it:

A.Includes family outcomes and is child-and-family focused
B.Is written only in special-education classrooms
C.Requires no parent signature
D.Is reviewed every 3 years

Show answer & rationale

Correct: A. IFSPs (birth-2) include family outcomes and are grounded in the family's daily routines. IEPs (3+) focus on the child in the educational setting. IFSPs are reviewed every 6 months with annual re-evaluation.

Q3.A parent asks why EI services happen at home instead of a therapy clinic. The best answer references:

A.Insurance requirements
B.The IDEA Part C natural-environments mandate
C.Scheduling convenience
D.The SLP's personal preference

Show answer & rationale

Correct: B. IDEA Part C requires services in natural environments — the settings a child without a disability would experience. Only when justified in the IFSP can services occur elsewhere.

Common wrong-answer traps

Choosing direct 1:1 child therapy when coaching is the expected model.
Confusing IFSP with IEP (different age range, different content).
Believing 'natural environments' is a preference, not a legal mandate.

Study moves this week

Chart IDEA Part C vs Part B differences: age, plan name, setting, focus, review cycle.
Rehearse a 30-second script explaining routines-based coaching to a parent.
List five natural-environment settings for a toddler and one goal you could embed in each.

Want 400+ scenario questions with rationales?

Praxis Path unlocks a full question bank + 132-question timed mock exam and spaced-repetition flashcards.

See what's included Try free practice test

FAQ

At what age does EI end?

IDEA Part C EI ends on the child's third birthday, when they transition to preschool special education services under Part B if eligible.

Are IFSPs written by the SLP alone?

No — IFSPs are developed by the family and a multidisciplinary team, with family outcomes explicitly included.

Is direct therapy ever appropriate in EI?

Direct therapy occurs, but the goal is always parent coaching and routines-based embedding. Pull-out clinic models are inconsistent with EI best practice.

Praxis 5331 Early Intervention Questions

Why this topic matters

High-yield concepts

Sample practice questions

Common wrong-answer traps

Study moves this week

Want 400+ scenario questions with rationales?

FAQ

Related topic question sets