My child’s language and speech
I am worried about my child’s language and speech
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Who |
What do they do |
How |
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Maternal & Child Health Nurse (M&CH) |
Maternal and Child Health Services offer professional nursing support and advice for parents of children from birth to school age. Services include consultation and support with parenting issues; regular health and development checks for children at 10 key ages; groups for first time parents; health screening; information about community and family support services; and referrals to other professionals as required. |
You can book your appointment by completing an online registration form Or by contacting the Wyndham City Maternal and Child Health Unit on Maternal and Child Health Line – phone 13 22 29 |
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Paediatrician |
Who is a paediatrician? A paediatrician is a doctor who specialises in children’s health and development. When do you refer to a paediatrician? A referral to a paediatrician would be made to gain support for any child showing developmental delays or concerns. Paediatrician support must be gained prior to a referral for an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment. |
Who can refer to a paediatrician? To see a paediatrician a referral must be gained from the family doctor (GP). Once a referral is made by the family doctor, the parent is required to make contact with the paediatrician’s office to make an appointment. |
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Family Doctor (GP) |
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Preschool Field Officer Team |
Preschool Field Officer Service The Preschool Field Officer (PSFO) program contributes to the provision of a quality early childhood program that is able to meet the diverse needs of all children. The PSFO is designed to provide support and professional services. It aims to build the capacity of early childhood educators to provide for the inclusion and participation of children with additional needs. This includes local government-funded kindergartens, kindergarten programs within a long day care service, cluster managed kindergartens, community-based kindergartens, childcare centres, playgroups, 3 year old kindergarten or family day care. The Preschool Field Officer program (PSFO) provides one unit of care, up to 11 hours, to eligible children. The PSFO program is funded by both the Department of Education (DET) and Wyndham City Council, who manage and deliver the service with no additional cost to families. Who is the target group for the PSFO service? 4 year old children with additional needs attending a government funded kindergarten program. This also includes children in receipt of Early Start Kindergarten funding who are attending a three-year old kindergarten program delivered by a degree qualified early childhood educator.
Please note - Children who have a diagnosed disability and are already supported by an early intervention service are not eligible for the service. The educator should seek inclusion support from the early intervention service provider, not the PSFO. Who are Children with Additional Needs? The PSFO program defines children with additional needs as children in a funded kindergarten program presenting with developmental concerns. Developmental concerns may be associated with any area of a child’s development, such as; challenging behaviours
What does capacity building of early childhood educators mean? The PSFO capacity building approach recognises and respects the expertise and ongoing role of the early childhood educator in supporting children’s learning and development by supporting early childhood educators to: Gain the knowledge and skills to confidently implement practices and provide programs that are responsive to the individual abilities, interests and needs of children with additional needs in an inclusive early childhood environment
Support may include:
Do PSFOs work with families? PSFOs work within the context of the early childhood program. The PSFO does not directly deliver intervention to a child within the early childhood setting, but acts as a consultant and coach to the early childhood educator. This approach may involve direct contact with the child and family in the early childhood setting, however, this work is done in collaboration with and through the early childhood educator in a manner that respects the educator’s ongoing relationship with the child and family as opposed to the short term nature of the PSFO engagement with the child and family. With parent/carer consent the PSFO can directly observe a child in the early childhood environment and contribute to the educator’s assessment of the child’s capabilities as well as their learning and development needs. This information assists educators and families to make informed decisions regarding referral pathways for specialised assessment or support services. PSFOs also assist the educator to identify and link families to a range of supports available and assist the educator’s program planning for the child in the early childhood setting. Where an early childhood educator seeks the PSFO service in relation to a child, the early childhood educator is required to obtain informed consent from parents/guardians/carers for PSFO involvement with their child, prior to requesting PSFO assistance.
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Can parents contact the PSFO program? Parents of children who attend an early childhood service who have concerns regarding their child’s development are encouraged to discuss these with their child’s early childhood educator in the first instance. Where a parent directly contacts the PSFO program, the PSFO will liaise with the relevant early childhood educator to progress the referral. |
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Speech Pathologist |
Speech therapists A speech therapist sees children who experience difficulties with talking or understanding language, including the social use of language as needed in conversing with others, asking for help etc. Advice is available to families in regards to encouraging language development at home. Speech therapists also work with children who have problems eating or drinking. |
How I refer to a speech therapist? You can contact a speech therapist service directly to make an appointment. For those with multiple concerns go to your GP and get a Chronic Disease Management Plan – this enables Medicare rebate for up to 5 visits. Refer to the Speech |