Enabling the Exercise of Choice and Control: How early Childhood Intervention Professionals may Support Families and Young Children with a Disability to Exercise Choice and Control in the Context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Brien ◽  
Jane Page ◽  
Jeanette Berman

THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE Scheme (NDIS) is progressively being implemented across Australia. The Scheme aims to more equitably and sustainably support families and young children with a disability to optimise independence and participation in all aspects of their lives, including early childhood education. A key platform of the NDIS is for people with a disability to have choice and control over decisions about service provision. It is imperative to review the research that investigates what the notion of choice and control over service provision means for families and children with a disability, and how early childhood intervention (ECI) professionals can effectively support this decision making. In this article we argue that to effectively support families and children to experience choice and control, ECI professionals must build and share specialist knowledge and expertise to support informed decision making, engage in positive relationship-building practices and develop a shared approach to accountability with families.

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-193
Author(s):  
Stacey Lynne Alexander ◽  
Margarita Frederico ◽  
Maureen Long

AbstractTo promote the rights, well-being and development of the child, and for the benefit of families and the community, attachment should be a central focus of early childhood intervention (ECI) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). ECI Key Workers have the opportunity to positively influence parent–child relationships and are encouraged to do so by the ECI national guidelines. This article identifies how elements of the NDIS design and implementation may be counterproductive to fostering attachment security in children. These elements can lead to delayed intervention; increased parental stress; reduced expertise of service providers; and financial disincentives for best practice in working with disadvantaged families. The article highlights the implications for children with a disability and their families in Australian society and identifies lessons for the design and implementation of social policy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhu Zheng ◽  
Susan P. Maude ◽  
Mary Jane Brotherson

Abstract With rapid economic development and increasing awareness of the importance of early childhood intervention (ECI), China is re-examining its social and educational practices for young children with disabilities. This re-examination may have a significant impact on young children with disabilities in China. It may also set an example for other developing nations. This article discusses ECI in China including relevant policies, laws, and practices. Currently, the current policies and laws related to ECI are rarely implemented in China and ECI is facing immense problems. In order to help promote the re-examination of ECI in China, the authors suggest areas of improvement for policies and practices in China in order to better support children, families, and service providers.


Author(s):  
Marisa Macy ◽  
Steven J. Bagnato

Conventional tests and testing practices are at odds with professional “best practice” standards in early childhood intervention. Moreover, conventional tests have been neither developed for nor field-validated on young children with disabilities for early intervention purposes. Dramatic changes are emerging in the assessment of young children, particularly those with developmental delays/disabilities. Interdisciplinary professionals must know and adhere to the professional practice standards for assessment in early childhood intervention. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) standards promote authentic assessment as the evidence-based alternative for young children to prevent the misrepresentation of young children with disabilities—the mismeasure of young children (Bagnato, Neisworth & Pretti-Frontczak, 2010).


Author(s):  
Marisa Macy ◽  
Steven J. Bagnato

Conventional tests and testing practices are at odds with professional “best practice” standards in early childhood intervention. Moreover, conventional tests have been neither developed for nor field-validated on young children with disabilities for early intervention purposes. Dramatic changes are emerging in the assessment of young children, particularly those with developmental delays/disabilities. Interdisciplinary professionals must know and adhere to the professional practice standards for assessment in early childhood intervention. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) standards promote authentic assessment as the evidence-based alternative for young children to prevent the misrepresentation of young children with disabilities—the mismeasure of young children (Bagnato, Neisworth & Pretti-Frontczak, 2010).


2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Burchinal ◽  
Martha Moorehouse ◽  
C. Cybele Raver ◽  
John Love ◽  
Herbert P. Ginsburg

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