Emily, 4 months

What is the Infant Development Programme? If you are concerned about your baby? development and would like some assistance in learning how to encourage his or her progress the Infant Development Programme is available.

The Programme is:

• Home-based and family-centred
• Funded by the Ministry for Children and Families
• For families with children from birth to three years of age who are experiencing or are at risk for developmental delays
• Voluntary
• Provided free of charge
• Completely confidential

 

Infant Development Consultants are:

• Professionals trained to assist you to teach your child in your home
• Experts in typical and atypical infant development
• Trained in developmental assessments
• Case Managers and community liaison personnel

 

The Programme Provides:

• Home visits to provide family support, monitor progress, and develop new activities
• Parent and child playgroups
• Access to reading materials and videos for parents
• Toy Lending library
• Information on community resources
• Referrals to other services as indicated
• Joint home visits with other professionals
• Parent support
• Speech, occupational and Physiotherapy consultation
• Assistance with transition to other community services (e.g. preschool)
• Communiy Resources

 

Community professionals involved with the Infant Development programme may include:

• Public Health Nurses
• Physicians
• Preschool Teachers
• Day Care Providers
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Pathologists
• Nutritionists
• Social Workers