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Early intervention - when and if so, how?
Encourage children with developmental disabilities early
Early intervention includes diagnostics, therapy and counseling of parents
Children who develop slowly, who have a disability or who suffer from a chronic illness need special support. This is where early intervention comes in. As the name suggests, it should begin as early as possible, because many things can be positively influenced in early childhood development. In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are support services for children close to home.
The target group for early intervention is babies and children of preschool age. Early detection of a (threatening) developmental delay or disability can help prevent or at least mitigate a lifelong impairment. Aids such as language support, vision school, movement or occupational therapy are part of the long catalog of possible therapeutic aids.
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 be helpful for
, for example.
Children who develop little drive of their own to discover the world.
Children who are predominantly preoccupied with themselves and rarely make contact with other children or adults on their own.
Children who have motor problems, for example, with simple movements, grasping, handling objects.
Children who are excessively angry or defiant or predominantly aggressive.
Children who have great difficulty focusing their attention on a game or thing.
Children who are constantly in motion and 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 malformations or genetic developmental disorders.
Early intervention is also helpful as a preventive measure, for example, in the event of premature birth, after birth problems, in the event of special illnesses or after an accident.
The first point of contact for parents is the pediatrician's office. At the latest during the preventive checkups, your pediatrician will determine whether your child is developing according to age and to what extent he or she may need support. Depending on what form of early intervention is indicated, therapeutic professionals may be involved. The practice will provide you with information and recommendations about which appropriate agencies to contact.
The measures often take place on an outpatient basis in early intervention centers. These have the advantage that they offer a wide range of support. The interdisciplinary teams include experts from fields such as medicine, special education, psychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy and social work. With its holistic approach, early intervention involves the children's environment. It is important to consider whether and how, in addition to parents, older siblings, grandparents, educators, daycare parents and other suitable persons can become involved. The goal is to find meaningful perspectives for everyday life.
Where no early intervention center can be used, mobile early intervention is offered. It comes to the home, if necessary to the childminder or to the daycare center. On the website www.frühförderstellen.de you can find the facilities active in North Rhine-Westphalia.
If the pediatrician's office prescribes the treatment, early intervention for your child is free of charge for you. The costs are borne by the statutory health insurance funds, or, if applicable, the social welfare offices. If the care required for an affected child is significantly higher than that for a healthy child, educators can apply for care allowance from the health insurance fund.
Der Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe ist für Leistungen der Frühförderung von Kindern mit Behinderung in Westfalen-Lippe zuständig. Förderschulen gibt in den Bereichen Sehen, Hören und Kommunikation, körperliche und motorische Entwicklung sowie Sprache (Sekundarstufe I). Informationen und Kontaktadressen finden Sie auf der Internetseite. Für noch nicht eingeschulte Kinder stehen Frühförderstellen in allen Kreisen und kreisfreien Städten zur Verfügung. Informationen und entsprechende Kontaktpersonen finden Sie auf der Internetseite.
Auch der Landschaftsverband Rheinland hat Förderschulen in 5 Bereichen: Sehen, Hören und Kommunikation, Sprache (für Sek I), körperliche und motorische Entwicklung sowie emotionale/soziale Entwicklung eingerichtet. Auch hier finden Sie viele Informationen und Kontaktadressen auf der Internetseite.
More informationLinks for further reading
Einen Einblick in die therapeutischen und heilpädagogischen Leistungen der Frühförderung für Kinder finden Sie auf dem Portal „einfach teilhaben“.
The brochure of the Competence Centers for Self-Determined Living in NRW (KSL) provides an overview of various support options and services for children and parents in the event of developmental abnormalities, chronic diseases or impairments.
