Early Intervention

What is a Key Worker? 

A key worker is a holistic, coordinated and family-friendly approach to supporting all your child’s development goals through a single, highly qualified professional. 

At AdaptEd Minds, a Key Worker is your dedicated guide, helping your child and family navigate the early intervention journey with expertise and compassion. Our Key Workers are specialists in early childhood development, with deep knowledge in either allied health or education, committed to supporting your child in reaching their developmental milestones. 

At AdaptEd Minds, your Key Worker is more than just a therapist—they are a trusted partner in your child’s development, ensuring that your family receives the focused, personalised support it deserves.   

Here’s how our Key Workers make a difference: 

  • Acting as your family’s main point of contact, your Key Worker simplifies communication for all involved in your child’s life. They take the lead in coordinating your child’s therapeutic journey, making sure it’s holistic, well-organized, and aligned with your family’s unique needs.  

  •  Your Key Worker collaborates with a team of specialists, such as Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists, to design and deliver a customised therapy plan tailored to your child’s goals. This approach eliminates the need for multiple appointments, making the process smoother and more manageable for your family.  

  • With fewer professionals to coordinate each week, you gain valuable family time while developing a strong, trusting relationship with your Key Worker. This streamlined approach not only enhances the consistency of care but also helps you maximise your budget, ensuring your child receives the full spectrum of support.  

These are just some of the essential skills and developmental goals we can nurture in your child through our early intervention support:

Early Development Skills

  • Enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication, including early speech and language development. 

  • Building foundational social skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and engaging with peers. 

  • Developing hand-eye coordination, grasping, and manipulating small objects.

  • Improving balance, coordination, and physical movements like crawling, walking, and running. 

  • Helping children manage and respond to sensory input, such as touch, sound, and movement.

  • Encouraging imaginative play, cooperative play with others, and the ability to follow simple game rules.

  • Teaching young children to identify and manage their emotions, including techniques for self-soothing. 

Cognitive Development

  • Fostering critical thinking through simple puzzles and cause-and-effect activities. 

  • Strengthening memory through repetition, routines, and engaging activities. 

  • Increasing the ability to concentrate on tasks for longer periods. 

  • Introducing basic concepts like letter recognition, phonics, and early word formation.

  • Developing an understanding of numbers, counting, and basic shapes. 

Daily Living Skills

  • Teaching basic self-care activities like dressing, brushing teeth, and feeding.

  • Establishing daily routines that promote structure and predictability. 

  • Assisting with toilet training and understanding body signals. 

Family and Community Integration

  •  Strengthening the relationship between child and caregiver through attachment-focused activities.

  • Providing parents with strategies and tools to support their child’s development at home. 

  • Encouraging positive interactions and play between siblings. 

  • Helping families connect with local resources, playgroups, and early learning centres. 

  • Empowering families to advocate for their child’s needs in educational settings, healthcare, and within the community, ensuring they have access to appropriate services and support.

Behavioural Support

  • Guiding children towards positive behaviours through reinforcement and structured environments. 

  • Assisting children with adapting to changes in routine or environment. 

  • Developing coping mechanisms for managing frustration and overcoming challenges.