New website supports ECEC teams who work with children with global developmental delay

A new website, Living Well with Global Developmental Delay (GDD), has been created following a three-year project spearheaded by Associate Professor Christine Johnston from Western Sydney University (WSU). 

 

Featuring web-based resources for children living with developmental delay and their families, the website will also support early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals who work with children struggling with GDD.

 

This website has been developed through a partnership of families with children living with GDD, professionals working in the area, and researchers. The project team worked closely together with a working group of parents who have advised on what information families need and how it should best be presented. 

 

The website offers detailed, easily accessible information that is evidence-based. It includes written materials, a learning module and videos featuring individuals and families living with Global Developmental Delay as well as the professionals who work with them.

 

Associate Professor Johnston worked with Dr Tim Moore from the Royal Children’s Hospital, Professor Danielle Tracey (WSU), Kerry Dominish (CEO of EarlyEd) and John Forster (CEO of Noah’s Ark).

 

The project was funded by the Department of Social Services through its Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) National Information Program. A further 18-month funding term has now been provided to evaluate the effectiveness of the resources developed, make the resources available in community languages, and host and maintain the website for a period after its launch to ensure both its usefulness and longevity.