Press Releases

Early Intervention For Future Progress

SACKVILLE - February 23, 2005 - From the moment you see that little plus sign on the pregnancy test, as a parent to be, your mind starts racing with expectations for this little human you've created. When the baby is born you watch him like a hawk, looking for every little milestone. When will he roll over? When will she crawl?

We all know that every child develops at a different pace, but, as a parent, we also know when something isn't quite right. I noticed it when my second son didn't get excited to see me when I picked him up from daycare. As a matter of fact, he seemed quite oblivious to the fact that I was even there. As fate would have it, my neighbour's child was being assessed for autism at the time, and I saw many similarities between him and my son. My friend recommended I contact Sackville Bedford Early Intervention, and it turned out to be the best call I've ever made for my son and my family.

Sackville Bedford Early Intervention Program was born out of need - when a family from Sackville had a newborn with problems and no where to go for help.

And so, the ball began rolling. Now there are 18 Early Intervention programs throughout the province, three of them in the Central Region - all working hard to provide resources and support to families with children birth to school entry that have developmental challenges.

Tricia Morse, Executive Director of the Progress Centre says that although its roots were child based, Early Intervention has evolved to include the entire family.

"Birth to six years goes by very quickly," she says. "And we want to be there as early as possible to help families with their specific needs, from early communication to school readiness."

Early Intervention involves home visits, play groups, books and toys for loan and so much more. It is a support centre and a resource centre where families are linked with professionals and with other families in their community. It is a place where your child can play and learn with other children while you have coffee and share experiences with other parents.

"It was a lifesaver," says my neighbour. "I went there to get help for my son and I ended up getting the support that has been essential for me and my family to get through these times."

Although there is funding through Community Services and fundraising efforts, there is so much more needed - so many more families to help.

"Our ultimate goal," says Sackville Bedford Early Intervention Executive Director Caroline Gallop. "Would be that no family out there goes without the support they need."

Contributed by Bobbie-Lynn Hall

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