Is my 18-month-old too young for therapy?

No — 18 months is actually an ideal time to start if you have concerns. We work with children from birth. The earlier intervention begins, the greater the neuroplastic response and the better the long-term outcomes.

My child is 12 months and not talking. Is that a problem?

A 12-month-old should have at least 1–2 words and clear gestures (pointing, waving). If these are absent or have disappeared, an evaluation is recommended. Early language concerns respond best to early support.

Do I need a referral or diagnosis to start?

No referral or diagnosis is needed to book an EI assessment. We can begin based on parental concern and developmental history alone.

How much should I expect my child to progress?

Early intervention outcomes are among the most robust in all of developmental paediatrics. Research consistently shows that children who receive high-quality EI between 0–3 years outperform peers who start later in communication, school readiness, and social milestones.

All services

Infant & Toddler

Early Intervention (0–3 Years)

The first three years offer an irreplaceable window of neuroplasticity — the earlier we begin, the more we can reshape developmental trajectories.

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0 mo

— we can begin with feeding concerns from birth

3×

faster progress documented in children who start before 18 months

Family-centred

model — parents coached as partners in every session

The essentials

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention (EI) programmes target children from birth to 36 months who show developmental concerns or are at risk. The infant and toddler brain is extraordinarily plastic — synaptic connections form at their fastest rate before age 3, making early support the most powerful lever we have. DCCD's EI programmes are transdisciplinary, meaning speech, feeding, sensory, and motor concerns are addressed together in a family-centred model rather than fragmented across separate referrals.

Who benefits

Infants with feeding difficulties or failure to thrive
Toddlers who are not reaching communication milestones
Children at risk for or diagnosed with autism
Infants born prematurely or with medical complexity
Children with global developmental delays
Families with developmental concerns but no formal diagnosis yet

How we work

Our approach

Evidence-based methods selected and combined specifically for each child's profile — never a one-size-fits-all programme.

DIR Floortime (Infant Adaptation)

Relationship-based model adapted for infants and young toddlers — building interaction, shared attention, and first communication through play with caregivers.

Hanen 'It Takes Two to Talk'

Parent-coaching programme that teaches caregivers to be language facilitators in everyday routines — bath, dressing, feeding, car rides.

Parent-Infant Coaching

We coach parents in the room so that intervention extends to every caregiving routine at home — not just the 40-minute session.

Transdisciplinary Team Assessment

Speech, feeding, and OT assessed together so families get a unified plan and one cohesive set of home strategies rather than conflicting advice from different clinics.

What to expect

Early intervention sessions are 40 minutes and always include a parent or caregiver. Sessions for very young children are primarily coach-the-caregiver — our therapist guides you through play and care routines, teaching the strategies that drive progress between sessions. As children move into the toddler range, sessions become more child-directed. Progress is tracked every 8 weeks with a written developmental summary.

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Related conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Speech & Language Delay

Late Talker

Developmental Delay

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Ready to take the first step?

Our intake assessment gives our clinical team the information needed to build the right Early Intervention plan for your child.

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