Mission Statement:
'We aim to provide a high quality interdisciplinary service tailored to the individual needs of the child with complex developmental needs under 6 years. We aim to work in partnership with the child's family/guardians on their journey through assessment, diagnosis and intervention to enable each child to reach their potential.'
Who are the Donegal Early Intervention Team?
We are interdisciplinary teams of therapy professionals within the wider community services. We link with other professionals at primary, secondary and tertiary levels to provide integrated and coordinated care. Donegal Early lntervention Team consists of a Counsellor for Special Needs, an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist, a Clinical Psychologist, a Speech and Language Therapist, and a Team Manager.
We work closely with other services to best support each child's development and address their needs eg. Consultant Paediatricians, Autism Therapist, PublicHealth Nurse & Specialist Preschools etc.
What is the role of the Donegal Early Intervention Team?
Donegal Early lntervention Team provides assessment and therapy services for children under 6 years with complex developmental delay and specialneeds and who are resident in Co. Donegal.We aim to work with the child and family in a flexible, integrated, co-ordinated manner, with the child and family at the centre of the team.
Who can be referred to the Donegal Early Intervention Team?
We see children:
- Up to their sixth birthday
- Who are resident or attend a HSE Preschool in the Letterkenny, East & South Donegal networks and
- Whose needs (or potential needs) require three or more of the four core Donegal Early lntervention Team therapies on an ongoing basis
How do I refer a child?
Once written parent/gaurdian consent has been obtained, any health professional can refer a child. Referral forms are available from the team manager.
What happens following referral?
The team discusses all referred children on a wdekly basis. If assessment is appropriate, a member of the team will contact the parent, undertake a home visit to gather developmental information and provide a team assessment appointment.
What will happen at the team assessment?
The child & parents/guardian will meet the team 7 in a child friendly clinic environment. Therapists will assess the child's developmental skills usink an
informal play based approach, while parents can discuss their concerns with other team members.
Feedback is then provided to parents. An assessment report will be produced. With parental consent, this will be shared with other relevant professionals. If the
child does not require three or more Donegal Early lntervention Team therapies, referrals will be made to the appropriate community services.
What happens after the joint assessment?
The Donegal Early lntervention Team members, based on consultation with.the parents/guardians, Early Intervention Team Manager agree the child's care plan.
The care plan will contain details such as the child's therapy goals and the type of intervention to be provided, for example, therapy specific assessments, parent education programmes, 1:1 therapeutic interventions, group work, preschool observations and consultation with other professionals.
Where do the assessments and interventions take place
Intervention is usually delivered in a HSE clinic room. Sometimes therapy intervention will be provided at home or in a special preschool, if appropriate.
For information or to make a referral, contact:
Early Intervention Team Manager
Tel: 074 91 97127
Post: HSE West - Early Intervention Team
Level 1 Scally's Place
Justice Road,
Letterkenny,
Co. Donegal
You can also contact the office at:
South Donegal Early Intervention Team
Cruagorm House
Water St.
Donegal Town
074 9722997
