Early Intervention Isn’t Working the Way I Hoped — Now What?

If you’ve found yourself thinking: 

• “Early intervention isn’t helping the way I expected.” 

• “IEP therapy isn’t enough.” 

• “What if therapy isn’t working?” 

• “Private therapy alternatives Portland” 

You’re not alone. 

Many families in Portland begin their journey through the Early Intervention (EI) system or school-based services with optimism. These programs provide occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and other supports — often at no cost — and they can be incredibly valuable. 

But sometimes, parents leave sessions wondering: 

Why does progress feel so slow? 
Why do gains not stick? 
Why does my child still seem overwhelmed or disorganized? 

Let’s explore what might be happening — and what your options are. 

What Early Intervention Is Designed to Do 

Early Intervention services are structured to: 

• Provide access to developmental support 

• Offer guidance to parents 

• Address functional goals 

• Fit within time and staffing constraints 

Therapists in these systems are often skilled, compassionate professionals working within limited time frames. 

However, sessions are typically: 

• Short 

• Goal-driven 

• Conducted in busy environments 

• Structured around measurable outcomes 

That structure works well for many children. 

But some children need something different. 

When It Feels Like “Not Enough” 

Parents often notice: 

• Progress stalls after initial gains 

• Skills appear in sessions but not at home 

• Their child becomes overwhelmed 

• Therapy feels rushed 

• The child shuts down or avoids participation 

This doesn’t mean EI or school therapy is wrong. 

It may mean your child needs a different type of nervous system support — something slower, more individualized, and less outcome-focused. 

When families search “private therapy alternatives Portland,” they are usually looking for exactly that. 

The Difference Between Skill Practice and Nervous System Organization 

Most structured therapy systems focus on: 

• Practicing specific skills 

• Meeting short-term goals 

• Improving measurable performance 

ABM NeuroMovement® focuses on something slightly different: 

Improving how the brain organizes movement and attention in the first place. 

Instead of asking: 

“How can we get your child to perform this skill?” 

ABM asks: 

“How can we help the brain become more adaptable and coordinated so skills emerge more easily?” 

This is a foundational shift. 

And for children who plateau, that shift can be powerful. 

Why Doing “More Therapy” Isn’t Always the Answer 

When parents feel frustrated, the instinct is often: 

“Let’s add more sessions.” 
“Let’s increase frequency.” 
“Let’s push harder.” 

But the nervous system doesn’t always respond to intensity. 

It responds to: 

• Variation 

• Safety 

• Novelty 

• Attention 

• Subtlety 

Sometimes slowing down produces more progress than speeding up. 

What Makes ABM Different 

At MoveAbilities in Portland, ABM sessions are: 

• One-on-one 

• Unhurried 

• Quiet 

• Deeply individualized 

• Focused on subtle nervous system shifts 

There are no worksheets. 

No performance pressure. 

No rushing toward goals. 

Instead, sessions help the brain: 

• Detect new differences 

• Improve balance and coordination 

• Reduce unnecessary effort 

• Expand attention and awareness 

When the nervous system becomes more organized, functional improvements often follow — and they tend to generalize more naturally. 

Can ABM Be Done While in Early Intervention? 

Yes — and many families choose that route. 

Some: 

• Continue EI services while adding ABM privately 

• Space sessions intentionally to avoid overload 

• Pause other therapies temporarily to focus on nervous system regulation 

There is no single “correct” model. 

At MoveAbilities, decisions are made case-by-case, guided by how your child responds. 

Doing everything at once can sometimes overwhelm the nervous system. 

Intentional pacing can create clearer change. 

When to Consider an Additional Approach 

You may want to explore ABM NeuroMovement if: 

• Early Intervention feels too limited 

• Your child has plateaued 

• Skills don’t generalize outside therapy sessions 

• You want more individualized attention 

• You’re looking for something calmer and more respectful of nervous system pacing 

It’s not about replacing services. 

It’s about expanding possibilities. 

Can I Do ABM Without OT or PT? 

Yes — you absolutely can. Many families choose to focus solely on ABM NeuroMovement® without combining it with occupational or physical therapy. It depends on the needs of your child and the pace that feels right for your family. At MoveAbilities, we support parents in making informed, individualized decisions. Whether ABM is your starting point or a next step, it can stand on its own as a complete and respectful way to support your child’s development. 

You’re Not Wrong to Want More 

If Early Intervention hasn’t met your hopes, that doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. 

It means you’re paying attention. 

Your instinct that something more is possible is worth listening to. 

ABM NeuroMovement offers a brain-based, individualized path that supports how your child learns — not just what they perform. 

🌿 Ready to Explore What’s Next? 

If you’re in the Portland area and wondering whether ABM could support your child alongside or beyond Early Intervention services, MoveAbilities is here to help. 

👉 Contact Kathy at MoveAbilities to schedule a consultation or ask questions.