Infant Development Program (IDP)
Nickie, Jodi and Krizia are our Infant Development Consultants
IDP supports families of children from birth to 3 years of age who have been identified with developmental delays or are at risk for developmental delays. The goal of the program is to provide early intervention to optimize children’s development and their participation in the community. Since the early years of a child’s life are very important to future physical, social and intellectual development, the goal of the program is to provide early intervention in the home with the family/caregivers.
Nickie and Krizia will support families in the South Peace, including Tumbler Ridge and Jodi will support families in Chetwynd.
The Consultant helps the family/caregivers learn how to:
- encourage the child’s development
- access resources and support
- provide activity suggestions to help stimulate your child’s development, special toys, books and equipment.
- Most of the early intervention is provided in the home with the family.
Groups are organized to provide parents with opportunities to learn from and support one another while they play with their children.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
We currently have a visiting Occupational Therapist at the CDC. Occupational therapists provide services for children from birth to school entry age. The role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) is to help develop skills in the areas of self-care, productivity and play. The OT works with children from birth to school entry age who have difficulty in the following areas:
- Fine Motor/Hand Skills
- Life Skills & Developmental Skills
- Sensory Processing
- Visual Motor Skills
- Perceptual Skills
- Self-Help Skills
- Behavioural & Social Skills
The OT may provide services through consultation with parents, teachers, and other team members, individual/group therapy, as well as visits to the home and/or preschool.
The Physiotherapist Julie at the CDC provides service for children from birth to school entry age. The main goal of the Physiotherapist is to encourage development of gross motor skills in children from birth to school entry age.
The Physiotherapist assesses:
- Muscle strength and muscle tone
- Range of motion of joints
- Quality of movement
- Exercise tolerance
- Motor and reflex development
- Functional abilities
- Pain (type, location, extent)
If therapy is needed, it may take place at the Centre’s therapy gym or hydrotherapy pool, home, or other community facilities. The Therapist uses one or a combination of different settings to stimulate gross motor development through specific exercises, play activities and the use
Parent/caregiver education is also an important role of the Physiotherapist. The Physiotherapist will instruct parents/caregivers about the use of therapeutic equipment, exercises and positioning.
Speech and Language Pathology (SLP)
Our current Speech and Language Pathologist services at the CDC are being conducted virtually. Our virtual SLPs are Cynthia Bakker, Stacie Donison and Maciel Perada. Services are for children from birth to school entry age.
The Speech and Language Pathologist Helps Children:
- Be understood by strangers (articulation)
- Understand what others are saying (receptive language)
- Express themselves (expressive language)
- Who have mouth and facial weakness and/or coordination difficulties (oral motor therapy)
- Who stutter (dysfluency)
Typically, children learn to use words and sentences to communicate. Gestures, sign language, photographs, line drawings, objects and/or electronic communication devices may be used to help a child to communicate or to augment existing language.
Therapy takes many forms including consultation with parents, teachers, other professionals, home visits, home programs, small group therapy and individual therapy.
Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant
Jayden is our Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant. The Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant provides support to our Early Intervention Team so their focus can always be on serving families.
Supported Child Development (SCDP)
Angela is our Director of Early Intervention and also our Coordinator of the Supported Child Development Program (SCDP), which supports children to fully participate in inclusive community based programs. SCDP serves children from birth to age 19 who have a developmental delay or disability and require extra support. A developmental delay or disability may affect physical, cognitive, communicative, social, emotional or behavioural development.
Participation is voluntary and SCDP services are free of charge. Parents are responsible for child care fees. Parents may contact SCDP directly or may be referred by community professionals.
The SCDP guiding principles are:
- Inclusion—all children are supported to fully participate in neighbourhood child care programs—extra staffing when needed, i.e. support worker
- Family centered—this means that you, the parent, choose what kind of support you want
- Individual Planning—each child’s unique strengths and needs are recognized and supported
- Child Development—children with developmental needs have access to early intervention and developmentally appropriate supports
- Community based—programs reflect local needs and priorities
- Respect for cultural diversity
- Training and support for parents and childcare providers
Building Blocks Program
Lisa is the coordinator of our Building Blocks Program. This program is designed to increase families capacity to provide safe, nurturing environments for children. As well as to maximize growth, and enhance young children’s developmental potential. Parents are participating in family education workshops and sessions to promote parent/child interaction and increase an understanding of child development. Children’s development potential is enhanced through an Early Learning program for children 0-3 years of age. Enrollment in the program is based on the parents strengths, needs, and abilities.
Below: Lisa, Toni, Tina and Aanvi support the infants and children in our Building Blocks program through the Licensed Early learning daycare.