As mentioned, the role of an SLP in early intervention is key because communication skills begin to develop at such a young age. For children who are at risk for or have impairments in communication, language, speech, emergent literacy, or feeding/swallowing, the inclusion of the SLP in an early intervention team is crucial. In the area of early intervention neonatal care, SLP’s take on numerous roles to provide services and support in a collaborative manner with families, caregivers, and other professionals. These roles include: prevention; screening, evaluation, and assessment; planning, implementing, and monitoring intervention; consultation with and education for team members (including families and other professionals); service coordination;