Early Intervention is a term used to describe the services and supports that children and their families can receive during their early years of life. These years are when children develop the most rapidly. Evidence shows us that when children access intervention as early as possible, there can be significant positive effects on their ability to participate in school, make friendships, seek employment and live independently. Evidence also tells us that a child’s natural settings are the best place for them to learn and develop, so Early Intervention supports should be provided in a child’s everyday situations including at home, at the park, at childcare and wherever else they spend their time.

Who can deliver Early Intervention services?

1. Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on helping children participate in and maximise their independence in their everyday activities. For a child, these activities include play, learning, dressing, mealtimes and other daily tasks. OT can also support children with sensory processing differences or social/emotional difficulties. Other areas that OT can support include fine motor skills, play skills, equipment prescription and home modifications.

Benefits:

• Supports self-care skills like dressing and mealtimes
• Support hand-eye coordination, fine motor and school readiness skills like writing
• Support sensory processing differences and needs
• Maximise parent and family ability to utilise and adjust strategies in response to their child’s needs

2. Speech Pathologist

Speech Pathologists (SPs) support children and their families with communication, speech and language skills. Speech Pathology can support children maximise their social participation, play skills and language abilities. SP can also provide supports when children find mealtime routines and eating or drinking difficult. Speech Pathologists can also support children to access alternative forms of communication, such as specialised devices, or visuals.

Benefits:

• Supports communication autonomy
• Build parent capacity to facilitate communication, play and other strategies
• Aids in language comprehension and expression
• Supports social participation and play

3. Psychologist

Psychologists can work with families to support their child’s learning and development, self-esteem and emotions. Psychology provides support for the emotional development of children. Psychology focuses on working with families to develop positive strategies for supporting challenging behaviour and fostering positive self-esteem and parent-child relationships.

Benefits:

• Support children’s emotional regulation
• Build parent capacity to support their children’s emotional and behavioural needs

4. Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists work with children and their families to maximise their physical development. Physiotherapy can target gross motor skills, coordination, balance and strength. They can also provide support specific to the child’s diagnosis, for example Cerebral Palsy or Down Syndrome.

Benefits:

• Support early milestone development including sitting, crawling and walking
• Increase their likelihood of success in other areas. For example, independent feeding requires core strength and stability

The Role of Therapists in Early Intervention

Therapists play a crucial role in Early Intervention. They are specialised professionals who act as educators and collaborators as well as therapists. Early Intervention often doesn’t require the therapist to work directly with the child; a lot of their work is directed into building the capacity of the parents and caregivers to support their child at home and in everyday life. A key part of Early Intervention is upskilling parents and caregivers with the knowledge and strategies or skills they need to support their child day to day.

Furthermore, successful Early Intervention comes down to a team approach. Therapists must collaborate with parents, caregivers other professionals and stakeholders who are involved in the child’s care. This ensures supports are tailored to the individual child, family-centred and consistent across all environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct holistic and collaborative assessments to determine the child’s support needs
• Develop and implement individualised plans in collaboration with the family and other supports
• Monitor progress and adjust supports as needed
• Educate and build parent and family capacity

Benefits of Early Intervention

Early Intervention supports are crucial to maximise a child’s lifelong success.

• Maximal outcomes: Early Intervention supports the development of essential skills, contributing to maximised participation and daily functioning.
• Increased Independence: By addressing specific challenges, Early Intervention helps children achieve greater independence in their daily lives.
• Improved Quality of Life: Effective supports can lead to increased self-esteem, reduced parent or carer stress, and more fulfilling lives.

When to Seek Early Intervention Services

Parents and caregivers should consider seeking Early Intervention supports as soon as they notice potential delay or have concerns about their child. Early Intervention is crucial, as it can significantly impact the child’s development and long-term outcomes.

Signs That Early Intervention May Be Needed:

• Delays in reaching developmental milestones
• Difficulty with movement, coordination, or motor skills
• Speech or language differences
• Behavioural or emotional difficulties that impact daily life

Conclusion

Early Intervention supports are crucial to support children and set them up for success. By providing holistic and collaborative services as early as possible, a child’s outcomes and Quality of Life can be greatly impacted. For parents and caregivers, understanding the different types of Early Intervention supports and recognising when to seek them can make a significant difference in a child’s developmental journey.