Early intervention

Early intervention services are important for all children with disability. They can help your child develop skills in play, communication, social relationships and functional behaviours. They can also help increase your child’s independence and ability to adapt to their environment and improve their readiness to participate in child care, kindergarten and school.

Early intervention services provide a range of supports for families of children with disability or developmental delay, from birth to school entry including:

• information and planning
• advice on your child’s developmental needs
• multidisciplinary therapy to support your child’s development and help them reach developmental milestones
• referrals to other specialist and mainstream services
• coordination of services for children with complex needs
• support with transitioning to a kindergarten program and school
• counselling and linking families with other families and support groups.

Accessing early intervention support

Both the Queensland Government and the Australian Government fund early intervention services for children with disability in Queensland. The main services available include:

• The NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach supports children aged 0-6 who have a developmental delay or disability, and their families and carers. The NDIS has engaged Early Childhood Partners to deliver the ECEI approach around Australia. Find your local Early Childhood Partner.
• The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS) supports kindergarten services to provide inclusive programs for children with disability. Funding is provided to kindergarten services via their nominated central governing bodies that administer the funding on behalf of their member services. Kindergarten services should contact their central governing body directly for information on how to apply and to lodge an application.
• Extra support for children with disability
  Kindergarten services may also access specialised equipment and resources through the Specialised Equipment and Resources for Kindergartens (SERK) program to assist a child with disability participate in their program. Contact KU Children's Services SERK hotline on (07) 3865 4780.
• Early Childhood Development Programs and Services provide multidisciplinary therapy and early intervention services to children from birth to prior-to-Prep age who have a suspected or diagnosed disability with significant educational needs. These programs and services are provided by the Department of Education.

• Queensland Health provides early intervention services to children with a moderate to severe developmental delay or disability. Child Development Services include:

  • Child Development Program, Brisbane—phone (07) 3335 8888
  • Child Development Service, Cairns—phone (07) 4226 4323
  • Child Development Service, Townsville—phone (07) 4799 9000

More information

Formal support

Your GP, paediatrician or child health nurse should be able to refer you to a range of therapists. Alternatively you can search for therapists in your local area through the following professional therapy associations:

• The Australian Physiotherapy Association
• Speech Pathology Australia
• Occupational Therapy Australia
• Australian Psychological Society

Informal support

• Playgroups offer a place to socialise, discuss concerns, gather information and access support while children come together and play in a safe, relaxed and welcoming environment.
• Support for parents provides information and tips from other families and to make friends with others in similar situations.
• Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, offered free in Queensland, helps parents encourage positive behaviour, cope with stress, develop close relationships with their child and teach their child new skills. Triple P programs, including Triple P Online, have been shown to help children with autism, ADHD and physical disabilities, while the Stepping Stones Triple P programs have been specially tailored to help families manage problem behaviour and developmental issues common in children with a disability.
• The Umbrella Network is based in Townsville and is a network of support and information for families who have a child with a disability.

Disability specific support groups

• Cerebral Palsy Health Programs—Children's Health Queensland provides services to children with cerebral palsy through their Paediatric Rehabilitation Service. The service is available to referred children up to 16 years of age.
• Down Syndrome Queensland provides a range of supports to families of newborn babies and children with Down syndrome.
• Autism Queensland provides a range of early intervention services to children with autism and their families.
• AEIOU Foundation is an approved child care provider, delivering an intensive multidisciplinary early intervention program for children with autism.