Ask a Plan Manager: the Early Childhood Approach for children under 9
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It’s not surprising that parents of children with disability often feel confused about the NDIS and where to start.
But did you know that you don’t have to apply to the NDIS or have a diagnosis to get help for your child? The Early Childhood Approach can provide supports for some children without the need to be on the NDIS.
The Crew at Leap in! plan management has provided a helpful guide on how you may be able to get assistance for your child.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT
The Early Childhood Approach (ECA) provides support to children to get the best possible start in life. It’s for children under 6 with developmental delay or children under 9 with disability.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak with a health or education professional such as your GP, occupational therapist, child health care nurse or early childhood educator.
They can connect you with an Early Childhood Partner (ECP), an organisation with experience and clinical expertise working with young children with developmental concerns or disability and their families.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD APPROACH
- Children don’t need to be eligible for the NDIS to get assistance
- It may include community/mainstream (non-NDIS) supports, NDIS funded supports or a combination of both
- Children who don’t fully meet the definition of development delay but have developmental concerns can also receive support
- No referral or diagnosis is needed
- You can contact an ECP yourself
- Some families will be assisted with an NDIS access request depending on individual needs.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
The Early Childhood Approach can provide supports in two ways.
1. Early Connections: Connect families with the right supports and services to build on their strengths. Early Connections are for children younger than 9 and their families. Children do not have to have a diagnosis or be eligible for the NDIS to access Early Connections.
2. NDIS early childhood supports: Early childhood intervention supports under the NDIS, provided through an NDIS Plan. This requires a diagnosis and the child must meet NDIS eligibility requirements.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PARTNERS
Early Childhood Partners (ECPs) are local professional organisations the NDIS funds to deliver the Early Childhood Approach. They work with both children and their families.
Providing support as early as possible in a child’s development is the ideal way to ensure they achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life.
ECP teams often include occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and other relevant allied health professionals.
Early Childhood Partners seek to understand a child’s needs and will provide connections to supports and services that best meet their individual needs and goals.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN EARLY CHILDHOOD PARTNER
An ECP will initially meet with you and your family and chat about:
- Any concerns about your child’s development
- Priorities and goals for the child
- How you currently support your child and where more support may be needed
- Information from available screening tools, assessments or reports
- Any early childhood supports currently being received and how well they meet your needs.
An ECP uses observation in familiar settings to understand how the child plays, communicates and helps take care of themselves. They may also use assessment tools to learn more about the child’s development.
This information is used to assess the child’s support needs and determine the next steps.
GETTING YOUR CHILD’S FIRST NDIS PLAN IN PLACE
If your child has been granted access to the NDIS, you will work with your Early Childhood Partner to develop their NDIS Plan. This often comes with a whole new set of questions.
The team at Leap in! can help with this part of the process. We can take you through steps and suggestions for your NDIS Plan meeting like:
- Start to prepare early and give yourself time to think big about what your child would like to achieve
- Make notes and keep a list of examples in the Leap in! app so you have one easy and central place for all of your thoughts and information
- Encourage your key family, friends and/ or support workers to join the app and connect with you so they can help with additional information
- Be ready to be as specific as possible to get exactly what you need from your meeting.
Do you have a question you’d like us to answer in the next edition of Source Kids? We’d love to hear from you. Send your question to [email protected]
Call Leap in! on 1300 05 78 78 or email [email protected] to speak with a team member experienced in the NDIS and early childhood approach.
