Children and Young People with Disability Australia CEO Stephanie Gotlib said supports and services were integral for some children with disability. “These services and supports should be provided in any environment, service or other part of community life that a child undertakes,” she said. “These may be related to physical accessibility of a premises or activity, support to participate, specialised equipment, modification of an activity or a range of other areas.” Children and infants with a disability and/ or developmental delay and their families can gain access to support and services to assist in development, wellbeing and participation in family and community life. Early Childhood Australia CEO Samantha Page said improved outcomes for children with a disability and/or developmental delay relied heavily on collaboration. “There are improved outcomes when families, early education and care services and other health professionals collaborate closely to support learning and development, integrating strategies into the child’s home and early learning environments holistically,” she said. “Other important initiatives are child and parent centres that allow families to access a number of services in one place, reducing the need for parents to travel to multiple locations. “Programs and support delivered in the child's early learning setting are likely to be reinforced more consistently across the child's week and between home and family, greatly enhancing the outcomes that can be achieved through a single weekly clinic session.” Ms Page said early intervention was critical in the early stages of a child's life, when skills, a sense of self and competencies developed. “Families can work closely with early learning services - whether it's a long- term daycare, kindergarten or family daycare setting - to develop a program unique to their child and that takes account of learning within the wider early childhood environments,” she said. “when the program is matched to the needs of each child, we provide the ideal environment to support best outcomes.” Parents and families can share ideas and have discussions on internet forums and Facebook groups to assist in encouraging inclusion within an early learning setting. These sites often feature input from allied heath professionals. GRETA ANDREWS-TAYLOR