The Early Intervention Structured Therapy (EIST)
The Early Intervention Structured Therapy (EIST) is a group programme designed for young children in need of therapy services. Early intervention is for children who range from 18 months to 4 years of age who are at risk of developing a disabling condition or have a known condition/diagnosis, or other special need that may affect their overall development.
Group aims
Therapy can enhance the development of skills in the areas of:
- gross motor,
- fine motor,
- sensory processing,
- feeding,
- communication,
- personal-social,
- perceptual,
- self-help,
- adaptive behaviour
Who can benefit
The EIST programme is designed for children with identified disorders (such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, behavioral difficulties, sensory processing disorders, etc.), for children currently under diagnostic investigations, children at risk of developmental delay and for children who are typically developing.
Content
Standardised testing is performed at the beginning and end of each programme. The emphasis of EIST is on prevention, early intervention, and enrichment in a playful and supportive environment. Parent education and participation in the activities of the early intervention programme are essential components. Parental involvement will take the form of identifying target goals in conjunction with clinicians, and reporting changes to support the aims of the programme. The child-to-staff ratio is a maximum of three children per one adult.
Programme details
The EIST program runs once a week, from 9:30 am to 11:45 pm on Fridays from September to June with open enrollment and an option for individual treatment or a continuation of EIST during the summer months.
