DSRS9070 Early Intervention for Children with Developmental Delays

This topic will focus on preschool aged children, particularly on working with families, inter-professional approaches and strengths based models of learning. Populations who clearly benefit from early intervention will be explored such as children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, sensory impairment and other conditions. Using play to promote early learning will be a focus of the topic. Problem based learning will develop competencies in research, accessing resources and understanding community agencies operations.

This topic aims:

• To introduce students to models of best practice in working with young children with diverse learning needs
• For students to explore current research and practice relating to play and the links with early intervention
• To introduce students to the benefits of play and early intervention in facilitating play skill development in children with diverse learning needs
• For students to be able to assess play and plan an effective play intervention program for a child with diverse learning needs

1. Identify the relevant literature and research a learning topic around a contemporary issue in early childhood intervention, and construct a fact sheet from this
2. Apply relevant observations skills in notating a child’s play behaviours
3. Interpret a child’s play skills and justify their play developmental level in utilizing a play development checklist
4. Apply findings to complete, score and interpret using a play assessment tool
5. Develop an appropriate play program for a child with additional needs based on observation and assessment
6. Research and evaluate the importance of play in a child’s development and analyze the impact of disability on play development
7. Justify the benefits of early play intervention for young children with play delays or disorders