Jack is an active and affectionate toddler living with his parents. He was referred for early intervention due to concerns about global developmental delays, particularly in speech and social interaction.
Presenting Issues:
- Communication Frustration: Jack had fewer than five spoken words and relied on screaming or throwing toys to express his needs.
- Social Disconnect: He struggled to engage in joint attention (looking at what others are looking at) and showed little interest in playing with peers at childcare.
- Rigid Play: Jack’s play was repetitive, often lining up cars for hours rather than engaging in imaginative or functional play.
The Challenge
Jack’s parents were worried that he was "falling behind." The gap between Jack and his peers at childcare was becoming more noticeable every day.
Impact at Home & School:
- At Home: Daily routines were a battleground. Simple transitions like moving from the bath to the bedroom could trigger 30-minute tantrums because Jack couldn't understand verbal instructions or express his reluctance.
- At Childcare: Educators reported that Jack was often isolated. While other children were playing together in the sandpit, Jack would be alone in the corner. He was also starting to bite other children out of frustration when they invaded his space.
- Parental Anxiety: His parents felt helpless and unsure how to connect with their son. They feared for his future schooling and ability to make friends.
We were terrified that Jack would never speak or make friends. The team at daar didn't just work with him; they taught us how to be the parents he needed. Hearing him say 'I love you' for the first time is a moment we will never forget.
daar Therapy Approach
Jack’s family partnered with daar to access Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) funded through his NDIS plan. We focused on "catching him up" by building core developmental skills.
Key Interventions Implemented:
- Play-Based Therapy: We used socialised behaviour therapy techniques to turn play into learning. Therapists joined Jack in his lining-up games and gently introduced new elements (e.g., "Crash the cars!" or "The car goes up the ramp"), teaching him flexibility and turn-taking.
- Functional Communication Training: We introduced simple sign language and a picture board to give Jack an immediate way to communicate. This reduced his reliance on screaming and biting.
- Positive Behaviour Support: We worked with childcare staff to implement a consistent response plan. Instead of "time-outs" for biting, they learned to spot the early signs of frustration and redirect Jack to his communication tools.
- Parent Coaching: We empowered Jack’s parents with strategies to build language into everyday activities. Bath time became a language lesson ("Wash tummy," "Pour water"), turning routine into connection.
- Routine Structure: We created visual schedules for home and childcare, helping Jack understand what was happening next and reducing his anxiety during transitions.
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Results and Progress
Over nine months of consistent early intervention, Jack made remarkable strides. The "wait and see" approach was replaced with proactive support, and the results speak for themselves.
Measurable Improvements:
- Language Explosion: Jack now has a vocabulary of over 50 words and is starting to put two words together (e.g., "More juice," "Car go").
- Social Engagement: He now initiates play with peers at childcare and participates in group song time for up to 10 minutes.
- Behaviour Reduction: Biting incidents have stopped completely, and tantrums have reduced in duration and intensity by 80%.
- Play Skills: Jack now engages in functional play, pushing cars along a track and making engine noises, rather than just lining them up.
Key Outcomes
Jack’s story highlights why early intervention behaviour support is critical. By acting young, we can rewire the developmental trajectory.
- Closing the Gap: Jack is catching up to his peers. The skills he is learning now are the building blocks for school readiness.
- Empowered Parents: His parents are no longer anxious observers; they are active participants in his development, armed with effective strategies.
- Social Inclusion: Jack is no longer the child in the corner. He is part of the group, learning and growing with his friends.
reduction in weekly meltdown frequency
of extra sleep gained per night on average
consistency in caregiver response strategies
Conclusion
The early years are a window of opportunity. Early intervention is not just about fixing problems; it's about unlocking potential. With positive behaviour support and a dedicated team like daar, children like Jack can overcome delays and thrive.
If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait. The earlier we start, the further they can go.
Ready to give your child the best start?
Contact daar today to discuss how our early intervention programs can support your child's unique journey.
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