Early Intervention Research
Early Intervention Research
Client: Disability Services Queensland
HOI was asked to develop a research based paper that analysed available evidence regarding early intervention in the context of specialist disability services. The objective of the paper was to enhance understanding of how to target early intervention responses by identifying people with a disability who are most likely to benefit from early provision of service(s) and to identify what services are of most benefit and when.
HOI undertook an extensive literature search, concentrating on clinical guidelines, RCTs and Systematic Reviews. Over 200 articles were reviewed in a 4 week timeframe. The findings were analysed to address five research questions focusing on: characteristics that predict need for specialist services; indicators, programs already evaluated; outcomes achieved to date; and the efficacy of these outcomes.
The findings were used to inform development of an Early Intervention strategy for Disability Services Queensland as part of DSQ's Growing Stronger Initiative.