Early Years Help

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.

• Flexible Support Packages - There are 2 packages - Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages and Disability Flexible Support Packages (Early Choices).

• Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages fund supports that complement ECIS and are time limited. The needs of each child and family are described in a Family Service and Support Plan. The plan guides decisions about other supports that are needed and how they are provided. Children with complex support needs who are eligible to receive ECIS must meet all the following criteria in order to apply for ECIS Flexible Support Packages: - aged up to 6 years and not attending school; - have a disability or developmental delay; - require a range and level of coordinated supports not usually available through; - community and general health services

• Disability Flexible Support Packages (Early Choices) - Early Choices is the DHS Disability Flexible Packages Program assisting families with children 0-6yrs with severe disabilities. The goal of the Early Choices program is to complement generic and specialist services provided for families of children under school age with severe disabilities and complex care needs through the provision of flexible support and respite packages. A family is eligible for Early Choices if they have a child who:- Has a sever disability requiring a high level of care including; physical and medical, social and emotional needs, which are unable to be met without additional resources; Has complex care needs particularly physical, medical, social and emotional; Is under school age. Referrals for children who have started school should be directed to the Making A Difference program at MacKillop Family Services or DHS Disability Intake.

• 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.

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.

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.