EARLY INTERVENTION - PROFESSIONAL VIEWS AND REFERRAL PRACTICES OF AUSTRALIAN PEDIATRICIANS

Objective: To gather information from paediatricians concerning their attitudes to early intervention services for young children with devel opmental disabilities and to study their referral practices. Methodolo gy: Two hundred and ninety-five Australian paediatricians completed a postal questionnaire. Results: Paediatricians presented a positive vie w of early intervention, particularly for its beneficial impact on fam ilies, and perceived the quality of services to be comprehensive or ad equate. There were few differences between States, or between country or metropolitan areas. Most paediatricians make prompt referrals to ea rly intervention services when a child has an established disability. Referral is much less likely with suspected delay. Conclusions: Paedia tricians are aware of the benefits of early intervention but additiona l information concerning the role of these services and their signific ant impact on families and children should be provided.