Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages gain or regain their confidence and independence in everyday life.
Early intervention
Use this page to get an overview of the options available to you.
Supports for children with disability
Early intervention supports are offered to children under the age of six to set them up for success in life.
Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, also known as the NDIS, children under six years of age do not have to have a formal diagnosis to receive funding for early intervention.
The idea behind this is that children are growing and developing at a quick pace and need support as soon as possible. It is also based on the idea that with early intervention children may not need the NDIS when they are older.
Use this page to get an overview of the options available to you regarding early intervention. Scroll through the sections, or click one of the jump-to links below to go straight to the area mentioned.
At the end of the page is a list of the providers that can help you and your child with early intervention support.
Who can help?
A number of professionals can help you if you are concerned about your child’s behaviour or development. They can help you understand how to support your child in different areas such as communication, social interactions or managing behaviours to help them develop to their full potential.
Professionals
Medical and therapeutic professionals can assist in different ways to help manage your disability and improve your life.
Paediatricians
Paediatricians manage the health of children, including physical, behaviour and mental health issues. They diagnose and treat childhood illness, infections and disease.
Speech Therapists
Speech therapists work on smoothing out communication and swallowing difficulties in both children and adults.
Early intervention supports
From getting your child assessed to help with childhood supports, accessing community support or understanding different education options, a wide range of support services are available if you are looking for early intervention support.
Assessments
Assessments will identify what your needs and challenges are to make sure you receive the appropriate support.
Childhood Supports
Early childhood intervention supports can help maximise your child's development and give them the skills to participate in daily activities.
Community Support
Being social and active in your community helps you to remain connected and is good for your wellbeing.
Education
Students with disability can access additional support at primary and high school through both internal and external services.
Popular Early Intervention Articles
If your child is under six years old and has behaviour or developmental concerns, you could access early intervention support, even if there is no formal diagnosis of a disability.
Before meeting with your Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) partner to discuss your concerns about your child, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.
If you are seeking early intervention support for your child, read this article to learn more about what you should look for in a provider.
For children living with autism spectrum disorder, receiving the right kind of support allows them to learn the skills they need to achieve and succeed in life. Read Jet’s story.