This study describes how European countries deal with the issues and practicalities surrounding early intervention services. The current situation in relation to early intervention is examined in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England and Wales, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Holland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg, Iceland, and Sweden. The report examines the organization and financing of early intervention services and considers the different types of support available in each of the countries. It describes the composition and functions of the teams responsible for early intervention, the participation of families, and the relationship between the education sector and early intervention services. Current developments and areas of concern across Europe are clearly identified and general findings are supplemented by the use of examples. Case studies detail how particular scenarios for early interventions would be handled in the different countries. Results of the study indicate: (1) a wide variety of services exist in the countries, which requires good coordination; (2) among the various services responsible for early intervention, those organized by the health and social affairs authorities are the most common; and (3) education agencies are more actively present in early intervention than in the past. (Contains 12 references.) (CR)