EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION
AUSTRALIA (VICTORIAN CHAPTER)
media release
12 November 2009
Victorian children at the end of the queue
Young children with disabilities and developmental delays are being further
disadvantaged due to lengthy queues for service and a lack of investment in education
and support, according to Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA).
“Internationally, there is now greater emphasis on supporting the unique needs of each
child and their family, and including the child in all the activities available to children of
that age group,” Dr Virginia Buysse, Senior Scientist, FPG Child Development Institute,
University of North Carolina told the “Making Belonging Real” conference in Melbourne
this week.
“When Victoria’s approach is compared with the international best practice being
presented at the conference, it is clear that we know what works for these children.
However, because there has been little investment in the delivery of programs, many
children are unable to reach their potential,” says Susana Gavidia-Payne, President of
the Victorian chapter of Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA).
“For example, an early childhood intervention service receives funding from the Victorian
Government that allows for between 25 and 50 hours of support to each child, per year.
This is not even close to enough to support a child in the vital early years. Furthermore,
there is a waiting list of over 1,000 children for these services, and some of these
children and their families will wait years to receive the services they require.
Libby Hartmann, mother of six year old Anthony, whose disability is autism, said that she
felt she and her family were ‘on their own’ when Anthony was first diagnosed.
“I felt numb and confused and had no understanding about what steps to take next. We
waited four months before commencing early intervention, and only then did we begin
the long journey towards understanding this disability. Once we started on an early
intervention program, a world of opportunities opened up but, even then, waiting lists
were long and there were a maze of disjointed services. It took me years to know how
to navigate the system, and I still often struggle and give up in frustration. It breaks my
heart that other parents coming to terms with a diagnosis of autism have the same
difficult road ahead,” Libby says.
“ECIA understands that there are many demands on Victoria’s resources but I ask
everyone to consider what it would be like to hear that your child needs special support
and then wait, sometimes for over a year, only to discover that the support available is
not enough to help your child. It is estimated that 7% of Victorian children have a
disability and one in forty children are participating in, or waiting for, early childhood
intervention services. Sadly, children are being permanently disadvantaged by this
waiting and a general lack of support,” Ms Gavidia-Payne said.
.
“We will be presenting the Victorian Government with information on what is required if
Victoria really is to provide all children with a good start in life. This will include waiting
lists of no longer than three months to access services; greater support for children and
families in their daily life; and, all children having the opportunity to participate fully in
community programs such as kindergarten.
“All children deserve a good start in life and we hope that Victoria’s achievements in
developing world leading practice for children with disabilities and developmental delays
will be matched by a Government commitment to funding that gives every child the
opportunity to reach their potential,” Ms Gavidia-Payne said.
(ENDS)
Available for interview:
Susana Gavidia-Payne, President Victorian Chapter
Early Childhood Intervention Australia
03 9925 7710
0404 012 847
Media queries:
Michelle Harvey, Executive Officer
Early Childhood Intervention Australia (Vic)
03 9509 5584
0410 648 100
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