Early intervention – help for children before they start school

Early Intervention Service helps children under 6 who have a:

• developmental delay
• learning delay
• disability
• behaviour difficulty
• communication difficulty.

What to do if you are worried about your child’s learning — Ministry of Education

Support, funding and services for school-age children

Individual education plan

An individual education plan (IEP) is a plan put together by parents, whānau and the child involved. It shows:

• resources and assistive technology the child will need
• who will be working with the child at school
• how parents and whānau can support learning at home
• ways to check the child’s progress.

Support plans — Ministry of Education

Get extra support in the classroom

Children with very special learning support needs can be supported to join in and learn at school, with:

• extra teacher time
• help from specialists
• funding for special items like Braille machine paper or special pens.

Apply for the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme for school students — Ministry of Education

Find out how to apply for funding to provide your child with a teacher’s aide who will work with them in the classroom to help them learn.

Who the School High Health Needs Fund is for — Ministry of Education

Help with special equipment

Apply for funding for equipment to help your child learn.

Who assistive technology is for — Ministry of Education

This could include:

• special computers
• vision equipment
• special seats or tables
• hearing devices.

Apply for assistive technology — Ministry of Education

Help from therapists

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists to work with physically disabled children at school.

Physical disability support

Speech therapists and support staff to work with children who have difficulties with talking, listening and understanding language. Check the Ministry of Education’s website for information about:

• learning support for literacy and communicationMinistry of Education
• supporting your child if they need extra help with their learningMinistry of Education
• continuing with learning support when moving to the next school levelMinistry of Education.

School property modifications

Schools can apply for funding to change school property to make things easier for disabled children, for example widening doors for wheelchair access.

Funding for accessibility at school

Help getting to and from school

Support for children who need assistance to get to and from the nearest school able to meet their needs.

Specialised School Transport Assistance (SESTA) — Ministry of Education

Teacher’s aide support

Apply for funding to provide your child with a teacher’s aide who will work with them in the classroom to help them learn.

School High Health Needs Fund — Ministry of Education

If your child is sick for a long period of time, a teacher may be able to visit them in hospital or at home.

Regional health schools: specialist education agreements — Ministry of Education

Help from non-government organisations

Organisations that provide information and support for families of children with learning support needs.

Supporting your child if they need extra help with their learning — Ministry of Education