Early Years Help

• What is Early Intervention and how does it help?
• What Early Intervention Services does Gateways offer to families with toddlers and preschool children?
• What hands-on support can you give to my child at kindergarten?
• Our preschool child has, or may have, autism. Can you help us?

What is Early Intervention and how does it help?

Early Childhood Intervention is a coordinated group of services provided to children with developmental delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder or a diagnosed disability, and their families.

The Gateways Early Childhood Intervention Team works in partnership with families to develop a Family Service Plan, which outlines individual, realistic goals to support your child's development and your family.

The team, comprising skilled speech pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists and early intervention teachers, offers families practical ideas and strategies to support their child in achieving their potential.

To find out if your family is eligible for early intervention services contact Gateways via Contact Us or phone 5221 2984.

What Early Invention Services does Gateways offer to families with toddlers and preschool children?

Early Childhood Intervention  is a group of services that Gateways provides to children with developmental delay, an Autism Spectrum Disorder or a diagnosed disability, and their families.

The Gateways Early Childhood Intervention Team comprises psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and early intervention teachers, who help the child's communication, learning skills, self help skills, sensory awareness, social skills and behaviour.

The team also aims to help families with children with a disability/additional need identify and access the services they need so they can maximise their:

• Quality and enjoyment of life
• Potential, and
• Positive Relationships in their community.

The Gateways Early Childhood Intervention Team uses their skills and experience to provide support in individual and group settings. The range of services includes:

• Autism Assessment and Diagnosis - these asssessments are undertaken by a team of psychologists and speech pathologists, in collaboration with paediatricians, to determine if a child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• The Preschool Field Officer Service - Preschool field officers play a key role in assisting children with additional needs and their families to access and participate in kindergartens and childcare centres that provide a State-funded kindergarten program.

• The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Service - supports and resources staff in State-funded kindergarten programs where children with severe disabilities attend.

• Early Intervention Therapy Playgroups - these are playgroups for pre-school children that aim to promote positive behaviour support, communication and the development of sensory and self-help skills with parent participation.

• The Autism Early Learning Program - a kindergarten-like program that promotes positive behaviour support, communication development and the development of sensory and self-help skills.

• Early Days Workshops - these workshops support carers of a child, aged six years and less, who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder or are undergoing assessment. The workshops give carers information and strategies to support their child's development every day. Gateways staff facilitate these Federal Goverment funded workshops on behalf of the Parenting Research Centre.

• Short-term Respite Care - if you need a break Gateways can work with you to develop a resite plan that meets the need of you and your child.

• Parent Support - Gateways provides a range of services aimed at keeping families strong including Short Term Case Management, Transition Case Management and information about Parent to Parent Support Groups in your area.

What hands-on support can Gateways give to my child at kindergarten?

Being part of a kindergarten program has enormous benefits for all children - both educationally and socially - and it is important that families, with a child with a disability or additional need, are given adequate support to ensure that their child's kindergarten experience is a positive one.

Gateways runs three programs that support children attending a State-funded kindergarten program. These are:

• The Preschool Field Officer Service - preschool field officers play a key role in helping children with additional needs and their families access State-funded kindergarten sessions provided by kindergartens and childcare centres. The officers also give kindergarten staff advice and support so they can provide appropriate and inclusive programs. 

• The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Service - this program supports and resources staff providing State-funded kindergarten programs to include children with severe disabilities. This program provides Inclusion Support Additional Assistants to assist the kindergarten teacher, as well as programs and written resources for teaching staff and parents. 

• The HAPI Awards (Helping Achieive Positive Inclusion) - these awards recognise kindergartens, Government schools and childcare centres in the Barwon South Western region of Victoria, who are outstanding achievers in their positive inclusion of children with disabilities and additional needs. This Gateways initiative was developed to recognise the outstanding professionalism of staff, who have embraced inclusion and create a welcoming learning and social environment for children with disabilities and additional needs, and their families.

Our preschool child has, or may have, autism. Can you help us?

Gateways is recognised as a leading provider of services for preschool children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Geelong and Barwon South region.

Our expert staff run many programs for families with children who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and for families who are waiting for an Autism Assessment.

Look at our Autism page for a full review of the services we provide.