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Early interventionDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Child development servicesFamilies can access therapy services for their child, from birth, through their local district health board.
Therapy services include:
There are some differences, depending on where in New Zealand you live. Generally, however, these services sit within, or alongside, paediatric or community health services within your local health or hospital service. The child development teams are usually multidisciplinary. They may have any of the following professionals:
Referral can be made through your NASC (Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination) Service, paediatrician, GP (general practitioner) or health professional. You can also make the referral for your child yourself. Child development teams will refer on to, and work with, other service providers; for example, preschool educational services.
 Back to TopWhat are early intervention services?Early intervention services provide for those children who need assistance with their development. Developmental milestones are a measure of your child’s developmental abilities; for example:
A number of professionals can assist your child to reach their potential by offering specialised guidance in everyday activities and play. Guidance may be given by professionals in services working together in your home. Guidance may also be given in your child’s day care or preschool facility. The professionals providing this guidance may be your child’s visiting therapist and / or early intervention teacher.
Back to TopWho provides early intervention services?There are a range of early intervention providers in New Zealand. These differ from centre to centre and include, but are not limited to:
When you contact an early intervention provider, they should give you information about the alternatives available in your area.
Back to TopWhere to go for more informationEarly intervention providers
Your GP (general practitioner), paediatrician,social worker or your local needs assessment service can advise you about finding an early intervention programme to suit your child. See the needs assessment fact sheet for details about how to contact a needs assessment service in your area. You can also call Enable New Zealand free on 0800 171 981. They can give you some contact details for early intervention providers in your area. Early Intervention Services and Support (Ministry of Education website).
This page explains what kind of support is offered by early intervention specialists at the Ministry of Education and includes practical information about supporting children with special education needs. Special Education - Contact Details
For more information on early intervention services, please phone the Special Education information line on 0800 622 222 or see the fact sheet on this website on Special Education. It provides contact details for your nearest Special Education District Office. You can also email a query to special.education@minedu.govt.nz
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 30/08/2005
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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