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Early Identification and Intervention

needs and to identify strategies and resources to address learning and behavioral
problems as soon as possible. These evaluations should occur across different
settings and should consider multiple perspectives.
Notes
Proper identification is crucial for the implementation of appropriate and timely
intervention. Early intervention to address developmental delays can make a crucial
difference in the children’s life.

22.3 EARLY INTERVENTIONS

Early intervention means doing things as early as possible to work on the child’s
developmental, health and support needs. Early intervention services give
specialised support to children and families in the early years, generally from
birth until the child turns five. It is hoped that these services, provided early, will
address any delays in development.

Early intervention services are a range of special and specific services to help
young children who have developmental delays. Different types of specialists
work with these children giving them specialised support. This support might
include special educators, therapists, counselors etc. Early intervention helps to
address the developmental delays and can make a crucial difference in the
children’s life.
A child who qualifies for an early intervention programme may receive one or
more of these services:

• Screening and assessment

• Speech and language therapy
• Physical or occupational therapy

• Psychological services

• Home visits
• Medical, nursing or nutrition services

• Hearing (audiology) or vision services

• Social work services
• Transportation or mobility

Advantages of early interventions

• Improve children’s developmental, social and educational gains
• Reduce feelings of isolation, stress and frustration that families may experience

• Help alleviate and reduce behavioural issues by using positive behaviour
strategies and interventions

226 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION