What Is Early Childhood Intervention?

Early childhood intervention refers to support provided during the early years when a child has developmental delay, developmental differences, disability or other support needs affecting everyday participation.

Support may focus on areas such as:

• Communication
• Play
• Emotional regulation
• Sensory processing
• Motor development
• Independence
• Daily routines
• Social connection
• School readiness
• Family confidence
• Participation at home, childcare or school

The most useful support is usually based on the child's functional needs and everyday participation, rather than diagnosis alone.

Early intervention can involve direct support for the child, coaching and guidance for parents and caregivers, collaboration with educators and changes to the environment around the child.

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Who May Benefit From Early Childhood Support?

Early childhood support may be helpful for children who:

• Have developmental delay
• Are autistic
• Have ADHD or attention differences
• Have communication differences
• Experience sensory processing differences
• Find transitions difficult
• Experience emotional overwhelm
• Need support with play or participation
• Have fine or gross motor support needs
• Need support with daily routines
• Are developing independence skills
• Are preparing to start kindergarten or school
• Are waiting for developmental or diagnostic assessment

A formal diagnosis is not always required before a family seeks appropriate early childhood support.

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Early Intervention Before a Diagnosis

Families often notice differences in their child's development before a formal diagnosis is made.
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You may have concerns about:

• Communication
• Speech or language
• Sensory needs
• Emotional regulation
• Play
• Attention
• Motor skills
• Behaviour
• Routines
• Independence
• Childcare or school participation

Appropriate support can often begin based on the child's current functional needs.

Families do not necessarily need to wait for an autism, ADHD or other developmental assessment before seeking help with areas already affecting everyday life.

Where diagnostic clarification is required, Belong Health also provides Psychology Assessments as a separate service.

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Family-Centred Early Intervention

Parents, caregivers and family members are central to a child's development.
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A family-centred approach recognises that families already understand their child's:

• Strengths
• Preferences
• Routines
• Communication
• Interests
• Relationships
• Everyday environments

Early intervention can therefore involve working with families, rather than simply providing therapy to the child in isolation.
This may include:

• Parent Coaching
• Practical strategies for home
• Supporting communication during routines
• Emotional regulation and co-regulation
• Understanding sensory needs
• Preparing for transitions
• Supporting independence
• Working collaboratively with childcare or school

The goal is to help families feel more confident and supported in everyday situations.

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Occupational Therapy in Early Childhood

Paediatric Occupational Therapy can support children with participation in everyday activities and routines.
Occupational Therapy may help with:

• Sensory processing
• Emotional regulation
• Fine motor development
• Motor planning and coordination
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Mealtimes
• Play
• Independence
• Childcare participation
• School readiness
• Community participation

Our Occupational Therapists use strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming approaches tailored to the child and family.
Learn more about Paediatric Occupational Therapy

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Speech Pathology in Early Childhood

Paediatric Speech Pathology can support children with communication, speech, language, interaction and participation.
Support may include:

• Early communication
• Understanding language
• Expressing wants, needs and ideas
• Speech sound development
• Social communication
• AAC where appropriate
• Play-based communication
• Feeding and mealtime support
• Communication within everyday routines

We value different ways of communicating and focus on meaningful, functional communication.
Learn more about Paediatric Speech Pathology

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Parent Coaching in Early Childhood

Parent Coaching can help families better understand their child's needs and develop practical strategies for everyday life.
Parent Coaching may explore:

• Communication
• Emotional regulation and co-regulation
• Sensory needs
• Behaviour
• Daily routines
• Transitions
• Play
• Independence
• School preparation
• Working with educators

The aim is to build family confidence and help strategies become part of normal routines rather than something that only happens during appointments.
Learn more about Parent Coaching WA

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School Readiness and Early Childhood Support

Starting kindergarten or school is a major transition.
Some children may benefit from support with:

• Communication
• Emotional regulation
• Sensory needs
• Independence
• Fine motor skills
• Routines
• Transitions
• Asking for help
• Participating in group environments

School readiness should not be based on a single checklist or expectation that every child develops in the same way.

Support should focus on what helps the individual child participate comfortably and confidently.
Learn more about School Readiness Support

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Developmental Support for Young Children

Some families know their child needs support but are not yet sure which service is appropriate.

Developmental support may help families explore concerns around:

• Communication
• Sensory processing
• Emotional regulation
• Attention
• Motor development
• Play
• Independence
• Daily routines
• School participation

Where needs overlap across several areas, a multidisciplinary approach may be helpful.
Learn more about Developmental Support WA

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Early Childhood Support for Autistic Children

Autistic children may have different strengths and support needs across:

• Communication
• Sensory processing
• Emotional regulation
• Routines
• Play
• Independence
• Transitions
• School participation

Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming.

Support is not about teaching children to hide autistic traits or behave more typically.

Instead, it focuses on communication, autonomy, wellbeing, meaningful participation and reducing unnecessary barriers in the environment.
Learn more about Autism Support for Children Under 9

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Positive Behaviour Support in Early Childhood

Some children communicate overwhelm, frustration, anxiety, sensory overload or unmet needs through behaviours that affect participation.
Positive Behaviour Support may help families understand:

• Why behaviour is occurring
• Environmental triggers
• Communication needs
• Emotional regulation
• Sensory contributors
• Routine and transition needs
• Appropriate proactive strategies

The focus is on understanding the child and supporting quality of life, rather than simply trying to stop behaviour.
Learn more about Positive Behaviour Support for Children

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Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing

Belong Health provides Counselling for children aged 7+.
Counselling may support children with:

• Anxiety
• Emotional regulation
• School stress
• Confidence
• Self-esteem
• Friendships
• Family changes
• Coping with transitions

Counselling is separate from our Psychology Assessment service.
Learn more about Children & Teens Counselling

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Psychology Assessments in Early Childhood

Belong Health provides Psychology Assessments rather than ongoing Psychology therapy.

Depending on the child's age and needs, assessment may help families better understand:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Cognitive development
• Learning
• Attention
• Developmental profile

Not every child receiving early intervention needs a formal psychological assessment.
Support may still begin based on functional and developmental needs.
Learn more about Psychology Assessments

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Early Childhood Support Through Telehealth

Some early childhood support can be delivered through telehealth where appropriate.
This may include:

• Parent Coaching
• Developmental guidance
• Communication support
• Emotional regulation strategies
• Sensory guidance
• School readiness planning
• Family capacity building

Telehealth can be especially useful for families living in regional, rural or remote Western Australia.
Learn more about Telehealth Developmental Support

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Early Childhood Intervention in Perth, Mandurah and WA

Belong Health supports families across:

• Mandurah and Peel
• Perth
• Rockingham
• Western Australia through telehealth

Depending on the service, clinician availability and child's needs, support may occur:

• At our Falcon clinic
• At home
• At childcare
• At school
• In the community
• Through telehealth

This allows support to be connected to the environments where children actually live, learn and play.

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Early Childhood Supports and Thriving Kids WA

Thriving Kids WA began its phased rollout on 1 October 2026 and is being progressively introduced through to January 2028.
It is being developed for children aged 0-8 years with developmental delay and/or autism with low-to-moderate support needs, together with their families, carers and kin.

A formal diagnosis is not required to contact Thriving Kids Connect WA for information, advice and navigation support.

Families can contact:
Thriving Kids Connect WA
1300 WA KIDS (1300 925 437)

Belong Health is not currently a commissioned Thriving Kids WA provider.

Families can continue accessing Belong Health's existing allied health and developmental services through private, NDIS and other applicable service pathways.
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For detailed information about the program, read our Thriving Kids WA guide.

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Early Childhood Supports vs NDIS

Thriving Kids WA and the NDIS are different support systems.

Some children may access early childhood and developmental support outside the NDIS, while others with higher levels of support need may continue to have an NDIS pathway subject to eligibility requirements.

Because the system is changing, families may find it helpful to understand the differences between the two pathways.
Read Thriving Kids WA vs NDIS

Contact Belong Health
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If you would like to learn more about our early childhood supports, developmental services, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Psychology, Counselling, Positive Behaviour Support, or telehealth services, contact Belong Health today.

Our team supports children and families across Perth, Mandurah, Peel Region, Regional WA, and throughout Western Australia.

Call us

Email us

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Supports

What is early childhood intervention?
Early childhood intervention refers to support provided during the early years when developmental delay, developmental differences, disability or other support needs are affecting a child's everyday participation.

What are examples of early intervention?
Examples may include Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Parent Coaching, School Readiness Support, Positive Behaviour Support, developmental support and family-centred strategies used within everyday routines.

What age is early childhood intervention for?
Early childhood intervention generally focuses on younger children. On this page, Belong Health is focusing on support for children aged 0-8 years, aligning with the current Thriving Kids age range.

Does my child need a diagnosis for early intervention?
Not always.
Many children can receive appropriate developmental support based on their functional needs before a formal diagnosis is made.
What are signs my child may benefit from early childhood support?Families may seek support when differences in communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor development, play, independence, routines or participation are affecting everyday life.

Can Occupational Therapy help with early intervention?
Yes.
Occupational Therapy may support sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor development, independence, self-care, routines and participation.

Can Speech Pathology help with early intervention?
Yes.
Speech Pathology may support communication, speech, language, AAC, feeding and participation.

Can parents receive support as part of early intervention?
Yes.
Parent Coaching and family-centred support can help families understand their child's needs and develop practical strategies for everyday routines.

Can early intervention help autistic children?
Yes.
Autistic children may benefit from neurodiversity-affirming support around communication, sensory needs, regulation, routines, independence and participation.

Can children access early intervention while waiting for assessment?
Yes, where appropriate.
Families do not necessarily need to wait for an autism, ADHD or other developmental assessment before beginning appropriate support.

Can early childhood intervention happen at childcare or school?
Yes, depending on the service, clinician availability and child's needs.
Support may occur in home, childcare, school, clinic, community or telehealth settings.

Can early intervention be delivered through telehealth?
Yes.
Some early intervention and developmental supports can be delivered through telehealth, particularly Parent Coaching, developmental guidance and family capacity building.

Does Thriving Kids WA provide early childhood support?
Thriving Kids WA is being introduced for children aged 0-8 years with developmental delay and/or autism with low-to-moderate support needs.
The program is being progressively rolled out across Western Australia.

Is Belong Health a Thriving Kids provider?
Belong Health is not currently a commissioned Thriving Kids WA provider.
Families can still access Belong Health's existing allied health and developmental services through our usual service pathways.

Does Belong Health provide early childhood intervention in Perth?
Yes.
Belong Health supports families across Perth, Mandurah, Peel and Rockingham, with telehealth available throughout Western Australia.

Does Belong Health provide early childhood intervention in Mandurah?
Yes.
Belong Health's Falcon clinic supports families throughout Mandurah and the wider Peel region.

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Not Sure Where to Start?

You do not need to know exactly which service your child needs before contacting us.
If you have concerns about your child's:

• Communication
• Sensory processing
• Emotional regulation
• Motor development
• Play
• Independence
• Behaviour
• Daily routines
• School readiness
• Participation

our team can explain the services available through Belong Health and help identify an appropriate starting point.

Depending on your child's needs, this may include:

• Paediatric Occupational Therapy
• Paediatric Speech Pathology
• Parent Coaching
• School Readiness Support
• Developmental Support
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Counselling
• Psychology Assessment
• Telehealth support

Contact Belong Health
Supporting children and families across Mandurah, Peel, Rockingham and Perth, with telehealth available throughout Western Australia.

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Last Edited October 2026