Some professionals will see you and your child regularly, while others may serve the role of a consultant; working with you and your child on a less frequent basis.
In addition to the Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist, Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, or Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, your child’s team may include physicians from the fields of otolaryngology and paediatrics. For some families a larger team of professionals may be involved in supporting your child’s development including, Infant Development Consultants or Aboriginal Infant Development Consultants, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Vision Consultants and Sign Language Instructors. In some teams, a Social Worker may be available to provide support to your family.
The service providers offer opportunities for your family and support your choices leading to your child making optimal development. They consult with you and other team members to understand all of your child’s and family’s needs.
Planning meetings involving the whole team, including you, are essential for early intervention teams.
Trained Deaf and Hard of Hearing Guides & Parent Guides from BCEHP’s Guide By Your Side program are available to give helpful tips to you about working with your early intervention service providers.