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Babies showing early signs of developmental disabilities are set to receive vital early intervention as part of a pilot program in Victoria.
The Parent and Infants Engaged program has set-up to support infants aged 6 to 18 months by providing parents and carers with the tools to better understand and respond to children’s unique sensory cues and communication styles.
The trial could see families receive increased assistance at home for up to three months to better support their child’s individual needs through child-led play and interactions.
The program may help determine how to improve support for infants with developmental difference or delay in the earliest stages of their lives.
Now the Victorian Government is investing $38.8 million over 3 years in the program pilot, with the Federal Government delivering a further $8.5 million worth of funding towards the initiative which is due to start later this year.
An article published by The Conversation detailed the findings of a similar trial which monitored 103 infants in Perth and Melbourne.
The results of the trial determined the use of video-feedback could help parents recognise their baby’s communication cues and respond in a way that builds their social communication development.
Federal Minister for Social Services and NDIS, Amanda Rishworth, sought to reassure the disabled community that the program is not in any way viewed as a preventative measure for developmental difference.
This pilot is not intended to ‘fix’ neurodivergent kids, it’s about improving parents’ communication with their babies and making sure Australian children have the best start in life possible
Amanda Rishworth
Victorian Minister for Disability, Lizzie Blandthorn, says the government is committed to constructing the pilot with input from people with lived experience of disability.
“[It] will be co-designed with the autistic community and will be embedded in the Victorian maternal, child and community health systems.”