Early intervention is a support programme for children with a developmental disorder or with an impending or existing disability.
If required, interdisciplinary early intervention is possible independently of attending a general kindergarten or a school kindergarten.
If required, special educational early intervention is possible at the same time as attending a general kindergarten and ends when attending a school kindergarten, as this is a special educational programme.
The tasks and aims of early intervention are
- To recognise developmental abnormalities or impairments as early as possible,
- to counteract impending disabilities,
- to alleviate or remedy existing disabilities and their consequences and
- to support affected children and their families.
The services offered by the interdisciplinary early intervention centres and special educational counselling centres include
- Early detection
- Early intervention and early education
- Early treatment (only interdisciplinary early intervention centres)
- Counselling and support
They work together with:
- Specialists from other early intervention centres
- paediatricians and specialists in private practice
- medical therapists in private practice
- Social paediatric centres
- Paediatric clinics and other specialist clinics
These centres offer services with different medical, therapeutic and educational focuses.