Early childhood intervention services

Early childhood intervention supports children who have a developmental delay or disability.

A developmental delay is when a child takes a bit longer to reach milestones such as moving, learning, talking or playing with others. It may or may not be related to a disability.

Some disabilities such as autism, hearing loss, Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy could more likely lead a child to experience a developmental delay, but the cause is not always known.

With early childhood intervention services, children may benefit substantially and may be able to go to school with little or no extra support.

Depending on your family’s needs, your child may work with a team of early intervention professionals including Special Education Teachers, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Psychologists.

The skills your child learns depend on their unique needs, but some possibilities include:

• Speech Pathology: Supporting communication, eating and swallowing.
• Special Education: Building language, social skills and school readiness.
• Occupational Therapy: Developing functional skills like using cutlery, getting dressed, hand-eye coordination and managing emotions. Our OTs can also assess and recommend assistive equipment such as wheelchairs or other aids.

Starting something new can feel overwhelming, but we are here to make transitions smoother. Our team can help you plan for changes, visit childcare, preschool or school with your child, support educators in creating an environment where your child can thrive, and provide ongoing assistance during the transition period.

Your involvement is key to your child’s success. We encourage families to actively take part in sessions, ask questions and share insights about their child. We are here to support you every step of the way, whether it is understanding your child’s unique needs, building skills at home, or connecting with other families and resources.

In addition to working with your child, we help families by explaining how your child’s disability or delay may affect their learning, connecting you to other families and support networks, and referring you to additional services or community programs.