What is Early Childhood Intervention?
Early childhood intervention provides support for infants and young children who have developmental delays or disabilities, their families and communities, in order to promote the child's development and inclusion.
Developmental Delay
Developmental delay describes a young child who is not achieving new skills within the expected age range.
Disability
Disability is a physical, sensory, intellectual or behavioural impairment which affects development.
What does early childhood intervention provide?
Early childhood intervention services are provided to children from birth to school entry and their families. The components of early childhood intervention can include therapy, education, health services, inclusion support in early childhood services, formal and informal family support, and the provision of information and support for transition into school systems.
Who delivers services?
Early childhood intervention services are offered by a range of people including, special education teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, social workers, doctors, nurses, orthoptists, audiologists and others, depending on the needs of the child and family.
Some questions you may ask of individual services include:
• What is the target population of the organisation and who is eligible?
• Who can make a referral, and how do they go about it?
• What services are provided?
• Is there any charge for the services?
• Is there a waiting period for services?
• Do I have to travel or will the service come to me?