Category: Early Childhood Intervention

Nurturing Young Potential: The Benefits of Early Childhood Intervention Programmes

Understanding Early Childhood Intervention

What is Early Childhood Intervention? Early childhood intervention refers to specialised support and services aimed at assisting children who may be experiencing developmental delays or difficulties with routine life skills. The goal is to identify and address these issues early on, which empowers children to reach their full potential.

How Early Intervention Programmes Operate

Early Childhood Intervention programmes operate with the following:

• Identification of Developmental Delays: The process begins with identifying developmental delays through assessments and screenings, focusing on understanding a child’s strengths and areas needing additional support.
• Individualised Support Plans: Once a child’s needs are identified, a bespoke support plan is developed. This plan outlines specific goals and strategies to help the child overcome challenges and achieve developmental milestones.
• Range of Support Services: Early intervention programmes provide a suite of support services, including therapy sessions and family support, tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. These may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioural interventions.
• Collaboration with NDIS Providers: As a registered NDIS provider, National 360 adheres to stringent quality standards and is eligible to provide services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This integration allows families to access funding and support for their child’s intervention services, ensuring comprehensive care.

The Crucial Role of Early Intervention

The significance of early intervention cannot be overstated,it can profoundly affect a child’s development and future outcomes. By addressing developmental concerns early, children can develop crucial skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Benefits of Early Childhood Intervention through 360 Kids

Some of the benefits of Early Childhood Intervention with 360 Kids include:

• Improved Developmental Outcomes: Children participating in early intervention programs often show marked improvements in communication, social skills, and cognitive development.
• Enhanced Family Support: The 360 Kids program engages families as partners in the intervention process, providing them with resources, guidance, and support to help their child succeed.
• Greater Independence: Through targeted support, children learn essential skills which enable them to become more independent and participate more fully in everyday activities.

Choosing the Right Early Intervention Program

When selecting an early intervention program, consider factors such as the program’s approach, the qualifications of the staff, and the availability of support services. 360 Kids provides qualified, dedicated, and passionate allied health staff, experienced Early Childhood Practitioners, and a holistic approach that supports not only the child but also their family and wider community.

Navigating NDIS Funding and Success Stories

Understanding how to access and utilise NDIS funding can be daunting. Here are a few tips:

• Start Early: Begin the planning process as soon as developmental delays are identified.
• Gather Documentation: Assemble all necessary medical reports and assessments to support your application.
• Connect with an Early Intervention Partner: Early Intervention Partners support children and their families with the NDIS funding application process.
• Start Therapy Intervention: Take advantage of support from experienced Early Childhood Practitioners at National 360, who are well-versed in NDIS processes and can help your child achieve their goals.

Real-life Impacts

Emily’s Journey: Emily is a three-year-old girl who was experiencing delays in her speech and language skills. This was causing frustration for Emily as she experienced challenges in communicating her desire to play with peers. Through thorough assessments, planning, parent and educator training, and targeted interventions Emily has improved her communication skills significantly within six months, enhancing her ability to interact with peers at her childcare.

Liam’s Progress: Liam is a young boy who presented to 360 Kids with difficulties in his motor skills. These challenges limited Liam’s ability to engage in playground activities and ball games with his friends. 360 Kids supported Liam with targeted physiotherapy, and his Early Childhood Practitioner worked with Liam, his school friends, and educators to develop his confidence and abilities in these activities.

With this ongoing support, Liam is now able to participate in play activities with friends.

Contact 360 Kids to start Early Childhood Intervention services with your child

Early childhood intervention programs play a vital role in supporting children with developmental delays and empowering them to reach their full potential. With the right early intervention programme and support in place, every child can thrive and flourish.

360 Kids is our Early Childhood Approach designed to provide specialised and individualised services including, assessments, reporting, therapy planning, equipment sourcing, and individual and group therapy options.  Our service focuses on the delivery and coordination of therapy services to build capacity in children aged 0-9 years, their families and support networks.

360 Kids operates via a transdisciplinary approach; we can offer allied health services from Early Childhood Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists, and Behaviour Support Clinicians. We work as a team to ensure there is progress toward the goals identified by the family and established in the therapy plan.

For more information about National 360’s 360 Kids program, please contact our team to discuss your child and family goals, and read more by visiting our 360 Kids page, and our 360 Kids for Parents and Families page.

• 1300 340 440
• 360kids@national360.com.au
• national360.com.au/360-kids

Developmental milestones are age-specific tasks most children can do at a certain age. These milestones are a significant marker in your child’s growth and development, and they include physical, language, cognitive, social, and emotional development. These physical or behavioural signs indicate progress in certain areas of development, and it will determine whether you seek help and guidance if you have concerns about your child’s development.

As parents, witnessing our children grow and develop is one of the most rewarding experiences, especially during the first five years. Children grow and develop so much in these critical years, including the toddler years, from ages 2 to 3. At this age, children undergo significant developmental milestones for 2-3 year olds that shape their personalities, cognitive abilities, and social skills.

During these years, toddlers will experience a huge change in their development, such as thinking, learning, and emotional changes, which will help them explore and make sense of their world. It’s essential for parents to recognise key milestones and know when to seek guidance if they have concerns about their child’s growth and development.

Developmental milestones for 2-3 year olds

By the age of 2-3 years, most toddlers should be able to:

Physically: Walk, run, climb, kick, jump, climb steps one at a time, squat to play and rise without using hands, move about to the music, turn a page one at a time, hold a crayon/pencil using a digital pronate grip, draw or scribble, self feeds using utensils, drink from a cup, and dress with limited help.

Social and emotionally: Play with other children and use simple make-believe play, prefers same-sex playmates and toys, starts to become independent, uses non-violent conflict resolution, shows strong attachment to a parent (or main family carer), gets frustrated, shows distress and protest when they leave and wants that person to do things for them, begins to show guilt or remorse, demands adult attention, starts to understand the differences between fantasy and reality and their fears are real.

Cognitive: Builds tower of five to seven blocks, lines up objects, recognises and identifies common objects and pictures by pointing, enjoys playing with sand, water, and dough and exploring these materials, uses symbolic play (for example, a block could represent a car), begins to count with numbers, recognises similarities and differences, can follow two or more directions.

Language: Clearly says ‘no’, uses two of three words together, explosion of vocabulary and use of correct grammatical forms of language, refers to self by name and often says ‘mine’, labels own gender, copies words and actions, makes music and likes to listen to a story.

When should you seek help?

Parents should seek help regarding developmental milestones for 2-3 year olds if their child is:

• Not interested in playing on their own or with other children.
• Struggling on their feet – falling over and being clumsy.
• Finds it hard to use small objects, such as placing a lid on a texter or placing blocks together.
• Not understanding simple instructions. Example – ‘can you put your shoes on’ or go and get your hat’.
• Not using many words but rather makes sounds or points to an object to get things.
• Not interested in food.
• Not interested in others.

How can 360 Kids assist?

At 360 Kids, we have trained Early Childhood Practitioners (ECP) who specialise in child development and family engagement through developmental milestones and are at the forefront of our 360 Kids program.

At 360 Kids, we understand the importance and positive impact of early intervention and support, which is why our goal of Early Childhood intervention is to promote the optimal development and well-being of these children and to provide them with the necessary skills and support to reach their potential.

Our ECPs come from a variety of backgrounds and training, such as developmental teachers, early childhood teachers and workers, psychologists, and social workers. Our ECPs provide support and intervention to children with a disability or developmental delays, can deliver a variety of assessments and work alongside other allied health professionals to ensure comprehensive interpretations of results occur.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has an early childhood approach which is about giving children the best possible start in life. If a child is younger than six and they do not meet the definition of developmental delays, however, you have concerns about your child’s development. Then you should reach out to your doctor who will connect you with an early childhood partner.

 

National 360 is a registered NDIS provider that offers a wide range of allied health services throughout Australia. Getting started is easy. To access our early childhood supports, complete a referral or enquiry form, and our friendly customer service team will guide you through the process and assist you with the paperwork.

• 1300 340 440
• 360kids@national360.com.au
• Complete an online referral here.

Developmental Milestones – What do they mean?

The joy of seeing those tiny hands waving hello, the infectious gummy smile that lights up their face, and the tentative first steps as your baby toddles towards you for a hug – these are the heart warming moments that very parent cherishes and eagerly awaits. They are the milestones that mark your baby’s growth and development. However, the anticipation of these special moments can sometimes feel like a waiting game, especially when they don’t unfold according to the expected timeline. It’s natural for parents to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as they await these developmental milestones.

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of developmental milestones. These milestones serve as important markers in your child’s growth and development, reflecting on their progress across various domains from the newborn stage through to early childhood. From the moment your baby enters the world, they embark on a journey filled with new experiences and sensations, learning about their surroundings.

Developmental milestones encompass a holistic range of functional skills that span four key areas:

• Motor Skills: This includes both large body movements, such as sitting and walking, and fine motor skills, like grasping objects, feeding themselves, and controlling their hands with increasing precision. It also encompasses sleep habits, reflexes, and vision development.
• Language Skills: From the earliest days, your baby is tuned into the sounds around them. They begin by hearing and distinguishing sounds, progressing to making their own sounds and eventually understanding words and phrases.
• Cognitive Development: This involves how your child learns, processes information, and engages with their environment. It encompasses their sensory exploration, problem-solving abilities, and overall cognitive growth.
• Socio-Emotional Development: This aspect reflects how your child interacts with others and manages their emotions. It includes their reactions to people around them, their capacity for play, and their growing ability to communicate and form relationships.

The first five years of your child’s life are a period of incredible growth and learning. In fact, they will learn more during this time than at any other stage of their life. While developmental milestones generally occur in a predictable sequence for most children, it is important to remember that every child is unique. They may reach these developmental milestones at slightly different ages and that’s perfectly normal.

It’s natural to compare your child’s progress with others but try not to worry if they don’t achieve a developmental milestone at the same time as another child. Instead, focus on tracking your child’s individual journey and celebrating their achievements along the way. Monitoring your child’s milestones is a valuable tool for identifying any potential delays or concerns. If you notice consistent deviations from the expected developmental milestones or have any concerns about your child’s development, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance. Remember, every child develops at their own pace and with support and nurturing guidance, they will continue to thrive and reach their full potential.

You have identified your child has developmental delays, so what happens next?

How can National 360 and 360 Kids assist you in supporting your child’s growth and development?

At National 360 we believe in a comprehensive, holistic approach to early childhood development. Our 360 Kids team consist of professional clinicians from varied allied health disciplines, each bringing their unique expertise and experience. We work collaboratively sharing our knowledge to ensure we provide a well-rounded approach to your child’s development.

We know your child is unique with their own strengths, challenges, and goals, which is why we tailor our approach to create individualised therapy plans that are specifically designed to meet your child’s needs. Our interventions are targeted and goal-orientated, focusing on achieving measurable outcomes that align with your child’s developmental milestones. Whether it’s improving communication skills, enhancing motor coordination, or building social interactions, we’re committed to helping your child reach their full potential.

Engaging with our Early Childhood Professionals, you can rest assured that your child’s development is in capable hands, we are here to support, guide and empower you and your little one on this journey of growth and discovery. Together we can make a positive different in your child’s life.

If you’d like to learn more about our early childhood services, please visit our 360 Kids page. We also have great insights for parents and families who want to learn more about how we can assist their child, including information around NDIS.

To enquire about commencing services, or what services would be best for your child and family, please contact our friendly team using the details below. You can also submit an online referral, or complete a referral over the phone by dialling the number below.

1300 340 440

360kids@national360.com.au 

national360.com.au/360-kids

NDIS Early Childhood Intervention and Paediatric Occupational Therapy: How it Helps Children with Disabilities

For children with disabilities, the journey to fostering their independence in self-care skills, communication, and time with friends and family can be challenging. However, with the help of NDIS Early Childhood Intervention via Paediatric Occupational Therapy, children and their carers can be supported with strategies to work through these challenges and build the necessary skills to help their child have a fulfilling life.

NDIS Early Childhood Intervention via Paediatric Occupational Therapy is an essential service for children with disabilities or challenges who need support in developing a variety of skills. These may include their fine motor skills, sensory processing, and play or social time with friends.

Early intervention is delivered to children from infancy through childhood and into adolescence, and National 360 is proud to deliver Paediatric Occupational Therapy to children aged from 0 to 17 years under our new banner – 360 Kids! By working closely with the child and their carers, our 360 Kids Occupational Therapists can create an individualised therapy plan that addresses a child’s unique needs goals and preferences.

Read on to learn more about NDIS Early Childhood Intervention and Paediatric Occupational Therapy, the benefits of Paediatric Occupational Therapy, and how your child can access NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy. 360 Kids aims to help you learn what to expect in a therapy session, how often your child will need therapy sessions, and how we deliver Occupational Therapy services to help your child achieve their goals.

What is NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy?

Paediatric Occupational Therapy is a form of individualised therapy that works with children and adolescents to help them achieve their daily goals which may include self-care, school and play. By focussing on these key areas, OTs help children develop confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing. Working alongside children and their carers, we aim to foster their independence in a variety of skills. NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy is a specialised Paediatric Occupational Therapy service that is available to children aged 0-8 years who are eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

What does a Paediatric Occupational Therapist do?

A Paediatric Occupational Therapist is a healthcare professional who works with individuals of all ages to participate in the activities and tasks that are important to them. For children with disabilities, Occupational Therapy can help to develop and improve a large range of skills, including but not limited to fine motor skills, personal skills such as dressing, toileting and chores, sensory preferences/diets, social skills with family and friends as well as understanding the safety of the world around them.

360 Kids’ Paediatric Assessment and Intervention covers a range of disabilities including (but not limited to):

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
• Global Development Delay (GDD)
• Intellectual Disability (ID)
• Downs Syndrome
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Vision impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
• Global Development Delay (GDD)
• Intellectual Disability (ID)

How does NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy work?

• NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy focuses on providing individualised support to children with disabilities and their families. The Paediatric Occupational Therapist works closely with the child and their family to identify the child’s strengths and challenges and develop a tailored therapy plan to meet their unique needs.
• The Paediatric therapy plan may include activities and exercises to improve fine motor skills, such as playing with small toys or manipulating objects, and sensory processing, including activities that involve exploring different textures or sounds. The Paediatric Occupational Therapist may also provide strategies to help the child develop self-care skills, such as dressing, feeding, and toileting, to improve their independence.
• The Paediatric Occupational Therapist may also work with the child’s support coordinator and support team to ensure that the therapy plan is consistent with the child’s overall support plan and goals.

What are the benefits of NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy?

NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy can provide a range of benefits for children with disabilities, including:

1. Improved Fine Motor Skills: Paediatric Occupational Therapy can help children develop and improve their fine motor skills, which are essential for activities such as writing, drawing, and using utensils.
2. Better Sensory Processing: Sensory processing plays a vital role in how children process and respond to sensory information. Occupational Therapy can help children improve their sensory processing skills, enabling them to better manage and respond to sensory input.
3. Increased Independence: Occupational Therapy can help children develop the necessary skills to become more independent in their daily activities, such as dressing, feeding, and toileting.
4. Better Communication Skills: Occupational Therapy can also help children improve their communication skills, enabling them to better express their needs and interact with others.
5. Improved Quality of Life: By providing children with the necessary skills to participate in activities that are important to them, Occupational Therapy can improve their overall quality of life and help them reach their full potential.

The benefits of Paediatric Occupational Therapy are vast, from improving communication skills to enhancing the quality of life for children with disabilities. With the right support, children with disabilities can overcome their challenges and develop the necessary skills to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

How can I access NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Paediatric Occupational Therapy?

To access NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy, your child must be eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You can contact the NDIS to determine your child’s eligibility and to begin the process of accessing services.

What should I expect during an NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy session?

During a therapy session, your child will participate in activities and exercises. These activities will align with your child’s NDIS goals and the goals of your family, developed in a joint session with your therapist.

The therapist will work closely with your child and provide guidance and support to you and them to progress towards independence and help them achieve their goals.

How often will my child need to attend NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy sessions?

The frequency of therapy sessions will vary depending on the child’s individual needs and goals. The therapist will work with the child and their family to develop an appropriate therapy plan that outlines the frequency and duration of therapy sessions.

How can 360 Kids assist my child with NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy?

The 360 Kids Paediatric Occupational Therapists have excellent experience working with children and offer friendly and caring Occupational Therapy for kids. Through our Early Childhood Approach, we are focused on supporting children on the journey to a bright future. We understand the importance and positive impact of early intervention to support children with developmental delays and learning difficulties.

360 Kids is a mobile therapy service, and our local team of Occupational Therapists and Early Childhood Practitioners can visit you in your home, school, workplace, in community, or in one of our local clinics to deliver treatment plans and support your child to achieve their goals. We believe in meeting the child and their families where they feel most comfortable to ensure they get the most benefit out of every session.

Can NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy be delivered via Telehealth?

360 Kids is proud to offer services across Australia that cater to your child’s unique circumstances. 360 Kids can offer NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy services via Telehealth. Our Telehealth model can cover therapy sessions, assessments, development of treatment programs + more with our highly trained clinical specialists, and can be delivered via platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Contact 360 Kids Powered by National 360 Today!

If you would like to learn more about 360 Kids and our NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy services, click here or enquire now.

If you’d like to enquire about our services or complete an easy online referral form, use the details below:

Phone: 1300 340 440

Online Referral Form: Click here

Online Enquiry Form: Click here

Children’s Development Milestones & Red Flags for Allied Health Intervention.

Every child is different, and it is important to remember that there is a big range of ‘normal’ in children’s development, especially under the 12-month age group. Developmental delay can show up in the way a child moves, communicates, learns, or behaves. It might be short term or might be the sign of a long-term problem. As a general guide, if you notice a child over several months is not developing motor, social or language skills at the same rate as other children the same age, it may be a sign of developmental delay.

For more insights into whether your child might be showing developmental delay, we have put together a guide across 7 key areas.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

3 years: A child uses sentences of 3-5 words, or even more. Unfamiliar people understand what the child is saying most of the time, and they label lots of things in the environment and in books.

4 years: A child uses longer sentences of 5-6 words or more and is understood by all people all the time. They understand most things you say, follows 2-3 step instructions about familiar things, understand adjectives like long and small, and uses feeling words like happy and angry.

RED FLAGS for referral: By 3-4 years old, the child is only using 1-2 words together, having difficulty understanding words, only uses language to get needs met as opposed to interacting socially, and does understand simple instructions.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

3-4 years: By this age range, children really begin to understand their emotions and know the difference between happy and sad, angry, and afraid. They can also show fear of imaginary things, care about how others act, and show affection for familiar people. They can still have difficulty managing emotions but are able to calm in time with the assistance of an adult.

RED FLAGS for referral: A child is unable to identify emotions in themselves or others and does not display a range of emotions throughout the day, or, the emotion does not match the situations such as having big tantrums over very small things.

MOTOR SKILLS

3-4 years: At this age range a child is able to walk upstairs, ride a tricycle, throw, catch, kick a ball, run, climb, hop and balance on one foot. Using their hands, they might be able to draw a circle or square, build a tower with blocks, use child-safe scissors, and unscrew a lid for a jar.

RED FLAGS for referral: The child is clumsy. For example, trips over a lot when walking or running, finds it hard to handle small objects, and isn’t drawing simple shapes.

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

(Pencil Grasp Development, Erhardt, 1962)

VISUAL MOTOR & COGNITIVE/ADAPTIVE

 

 

 

(Image via geekymedics.com)

EVERYDAY SKILLS

3-4 years: By this age range, a child understands the family and daily routine and enjoys special events like birthdays. They are becoming more independent and are able to feed themselves, put on shoes (not laces), undo buttons, participate and complete much of the dressing routines. Most are also toilet trained and might be able to do some daily hygiene tasks like wiping their bottom and washing their hands and face, but still need supervision with things like bathing and tooth brushing.

RED FLAGS for referral: A child not making progress in toilet training for urination, has difficulty completing any dressing tasks, and does not seem aware of the routines in their day.

SOCIAL SKILLS

3-4 years: By this age range, a child can engage in a range of imaginary play scenarios, such as pretending to be Mum or Dad, play cooperatively with other children and show preferences in developing friendships. They are becoming aware of social norms and rules, such as sitting quietly at circle time.

RED FLAGS for referral: A child shows limited interest in engaging with other children or only engages inappropriately. Strong preference for engaging with adults over children.

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU’VE IDENTIFIED A RED FLAG

If you are noticing your child display any of the red flags for referral, there are different referral options you can take.

1. NDIS – Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
   • You can be referred by a parent into a local area coordinator.
   • Does not need a formal diagnosis to be eligible for intervention.
   • Can receive early intervention supports across domains such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy and Psychology.
2. Private referral
   • Use of Medicare or private health insurance.
   • Generally, a GP referral is needed but will be dependent on the service provider.

National 360 offers early intervention (children up to 7 years) and services for older children (7 + years) and teenagers (12 – 18 years). You may be looking for assistance from one service such as occupational therapy, or we can support you with a multidisciplinary approach where you may receive a combination of therapies such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology and behaviour support.

If you feel your child may benefit from the help of our network of skilled and supportive service providers, please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your child today!

Find out more about our paediatric services, or if you are ready to make a referral fill out our referral form here or simply call 1300 340 440, or complete our enquiry form below.