Early Childhood Intervention
Our service

Based in Forbes in Western NSW, our Early Childhood Intervention service provides many different types of early intervention services to children between birth and school age (0-6) who have a disability or developmental delay.

Young children learn and develop differently. One baby may walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. However, some children will need extra help.

 
What is a developmental delay?

A developmental delay means that a child is behind in at least one area of development, including:

  • Physical – includes vision and hearing, gross, fine motor.
  • Cognitive – play skill, attention, memory, problem solving, sorting skills and visual perception. 
  • Communication – how the child understands what is said and how the child uses sounds, words or gestures to let others know what he/she wants.
  • Social/Emotional – how the child uses sounds, words or gestures to let others know what he/ she wants.
  • Adaptive Development – self help, including feeding and dressing skills.
 
How do you access the service?

Professionals must refer babies and toddlers to the program if there is a concern about the child’s development. Parents must give permission to have their child referred. As a parent you can also refer your child to the service if you suspect a problem.

Services begin with a meeting in order to determine eligibility. The project co-ordinator will then assist the family in determining the needs of the child, utilizing all available resources to help the family meet the special needs of their child in the most natural environment (home, child care centre or family day care).

 
What specialist services are offered?

Early childhood intervention services are offered by a range of service providers including special education teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, social workers, orthoptists, audiologists, paediatricians and early childhood nurses and others depending on the needs of the child.