The Benefits of Early Intervention

What is Early Intervention?

The term Early Intervention means starting therapeutic interventions as soon as possible and for Autism specifically, this means specialised support for young children.

What is the aim of Early Intervention?

The aim of Early Intervention is to promote the development of the child and help them to establish and learn the skills they need to thrive.

When is it appropriate to start Early Intervention?

Early Intervention for autism should start as soon as possible. This could mean 12 months old or it could mean 5 years old, the main importance is that the intervention starts as soon as issues with the child’s development are noticed.

Early Intervention makes it more likely that a child with ASD will experience positive outcomes during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The idea is to help a child develop and learn as much as he or she is able to. While ASD doesn't go away, some children will need less and less support as they grow older. Some may still have high support needs but the ultimate goal of Early intervention is to support each child with their individual needs and help them reach their full potential.

Early Intervention can also help children with Austism develop coping skills and strategies to better manage their symptoms.

According to Reimagine Australia, who are leaders in Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention, research shows that providing children and families with timely, comprehensive and well-integrated early intervention support, under a family-centred, best practice framework, will lead to better long-term outcomes for children and families, fostering inclusion, a sense of belonging and greater participation in their communities.

So what makes a great Early Intervention service?

Below we list a few key points to look out for in an Early Intervention Service;

Evidence Based

Child centred and developmentally appropriate

Assessments before starting, data taken and progress measured

Uses positive reinforcement

Ongoing professional development of the team

Individualised to the child 

Family-centred, working towards goals concerning the family

Understanding Early Intervention and your options surrounding the supports available to you is incredibly important. Resources such as Autism Awareness Australia and the NDIS website are valuable tools to help you find support tailored to you and your child.