About Us

The Early Childhood Intervention Doctoral Consortium (ECIDC)

The Early Childhood Intervention Doctoral Consortium (ECIDC) is federally funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to prepare 28 scholars from nine universities (IHEs) who represent four academic disciplines and 15 programs of study to become leaders in early intervention, and early childhood special education and related services (Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and Speech and Language) for infants and young children with high, intensive, interdisciplinary, and individualized learning needs and their families.

The ECIDC grant is administered by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine through the A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. Participating IHEs include:

Competency Sequence

Year 1-2
Population Specific Pedagogy

  • Family-Centered Practice and Cultural Competence
  • Interdisciplinary Collaborations
  • Systematic, Direct and Data-Based Interventions in Communication and Social Competence
  • Inclusive Learning Environments

Year 2-3
Research and Scholarship

  • Research Analysis, Synthesis and Application to Practice
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Implementation Science
  • Writing for Publication
  • Writing Grants

Year 2-3
Teaching and Education

  • Evidenced Based IHE Personnel Preparation Programs
  • Adult Learning Principles
  • Mentorship and Supervision
  • Instructional Technology

Year 3-4
Community Engagement and Service

  • State and National Impact
  • Policy Analysis
  • System Change
  • Faculty Induction