Eurlyaid –EAECI What legal framework do we need to facilitate early intervention? Dirk Mombaerts

Previously EAECI – Eurlyaid The European Association on Early Childhood Intervention - Eurlyaid is a participative association of persons, interested in issues of early childhood intervention. The EAECI - Eurlyaid is a working party made up of representatives of parents’ associations, professionals and researchers, from various countries of the European Union. Eurlyaid was founded in 1988, during an international conference, in Rotterdam. Eurlyaid became the European Association on Early Childhood Intervention in Rome in 2003.

EAECI - Eurlyaid aims at Increasing the quality of life for parents and children with special needs, through early childhood intervention (within the context of inclusion and gender mainstreaming). Stimulating the growth and development of early childhood intervention on a European level. Increasing sensitivity to the values and ethics of early childhood intervention, as described in the Manifesto. Increasing knowledge and expertise in the field of early childhood intervention.

Publications of Eurlyaid EAECI Key concepts of the EAECI - Eurlyaid are written down in two “Manifests”’ which can be downloaded from the web site of the association MANIFESTO OF THE EURLYAID WORKING PARTY WITH A VIEW TO FUTURE EC POLICY 1991 ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF EARLY INTERVENTION TO CHILDREN AT RISK AND WITH DISORDERS AND TO THEIR FAMILIES 1997

EPASEI, THE EUROPEAN PARENTAL SATISFACTION SCALE ABOUT EARLY INTERVENTION 1998 Guidance of the parents Guidance of the child Social environment Relationship between parents and professionals Model of guidance Localisation and network of the service.

These aims are pursued by activities such as: Making accessible the knowledge, experience and expertise in early childhood intervention to parents, professionals, researchers and practitioners. Promoting the exchange of information, experience and expertise, in a manner accessible to everybody, by creating a European Internet Community. Supporting existing ideas of good practice and networks in early childhood intervention and acting as a reference system. Increasing the development of good practice.

Initiating scientific research in the field of early childhood intervention. Initiating discourse about training-programmes for professionals. Supporting exchange of personnel. Initiating projects. Organising conferences, seminars and symposia. Enhancing the public profile of early childhood intervention.

Early Childhood Intervention Analysis of Situations in Europe Key Aspects and Recommendations Summary Report European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education

Recommendations Availability – Existence of ECI policy measures – Availability of information – Clear definition of target groups Proximity – Decentralisation of services/provision – Meeting the needs of families and children Affordability – cost free services/provision is made available for the families

Interdisciplinary working – Co-operation with families – Team building approach – Stability of team members Diversity – Adequate co-ordination of sectors – Adequate co-ordination of provision

Practice Values – Partnership between parents and professionals – Double-two-sized intervention Double :children and parents Two sized therapeutically and emancipatory – Respect for the families and the children in their way of thinking, feeling and acting

Methodology – Home-based pedagogical supporting service Comfortable for families Included guidance – Transdisciplinary model of early childhood intervention Increase competence of professionals More guarantee for global approach Reduce number of professionals – Co-operation with local regular services

Global aims To increase the competence of the child and the family To increase quality of life To turn over incapacity's into opportunities Positive image building of disabled children and their families Parents are the first caregivers and they need support to increase their competence. The main goal of early intervention should be that the parents feel comfortable into the education of their child and that they can integrate the child into the customs of their own family