Early intervention - when and if so, how?

The target group for early intervention is children from birth until they start school. Early recognition of an (impending) disability can help to prevent or mitigate a lifelong impairment. Children's play serves as the basis for early intervention. In addition, there are various methods, such as language support, specific movement or perception offers, to support children in their individual needs.

Early intervention is divided into curative education and interdisciplinary early intervention:

• curative early intervention uses educational and curative education measures for support. This also includes autism-specific support.
• Interdisciplinary early intervention combines curative education measures with therapeutic measures such as speech therapy, physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy.

As a parent, you observe your child's development very closely. Mothers and fathers are often very sensitive to any abnormalities. If you are worried, it is advisable to go to the pediatrician to have your observations clarified at an early stage. Early intervention can, for example, be helpful for

• children who develop little drive of their own to discover the world.
• Children who are mainly preoccupied with themselves and rarely make contact with other children or adults of their own accord.
• Children who have motor problems, e.g. with simple movements, grasping, handling objects.
• Children who are excessively angry or defiant or react predominantly aggressively.
• Children who have great difficulty focusing their attention on a game or an object.
• Children who are constantly on the move and in action, demanding undivided attention and thus overwhelming their parents and environment.
• Children who do not learn to speak properly.
• Children with mental, motor, visual and hearing impairments or disabilities, with speech and language disorders, with physical deformities or genetic developmental disorders.

Early intervention can also be useful as a preventative measure in some cases, for example in the case of premature birth, after birth problems, in the case of special impairments or after an accident.

The first point of contact for parents is the paediatrician's practice, the regional associations or an advice centre for supplementary independent participation advice. Your pediatrician will recommend whether an early intervention measure is advisable at the latest during the preventive check-ups. The Rhineland and Westphalia-Lippe Regional Associations are responsible for determining the need for early intervention. Parents can contact the regional associations directly or contact the early intervention centers (see below).

The measures often take place on an outpatient basis in specially equipped early intervention centers. The qualified specialists there have access to a wide range of play and support materials as well as medical aids. Early intervention also involves the families and the children's environment. It is important to check whether and how older siblings, grandparents, teachers, childminders and other suitable people can get involved alongside parents. The aim is to find good support for everyday life so that the child can develop well.

The service can also be used as mobile support. It comes to the home, if necessary to the childminder or to the daycare center. On the website

• www.frühförderstellen.de
• www.soziale-teilhabe-kiju.lwl.org/de/fuer-eltern-und-junge-menschen/fruehfoerderung/
• www.bthg.lvr.de/de/downloads/

you will find the facilities active in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The regional associations are responsible for early intervention services and cover the costs of curative early intervention from birth until the child starts school if there is a need. Interdisciplinary early intervention is also free of charge for you as parents. If there is a need, the costs are covered by the regional associations and health insurance companies.

The regional associations decide on the need for and scope of the services. The employees of the regional associations, as well as paediatricians, early intervention centres and the supplementary independent participation advice service (EUTB), are happy to provide support and advice.