Infant and Early Mental Health
The early years lay the foundation for a child’s lifelong emotional, social, and developmental wellbeing. Infant and early mental health focuses on supporting children from birth to age six by strengthening relationships, identifying developmental needs early, and ensuring families feel supported, informed, and connected every step of the way.
Our approach is designed to reduce barriers to support, respond early to concerns, and honour each family’s unique cultural, relational, and developmental context. We work collaboratively with caregivers to ensure children receive the right support at the right time—because early connection and early action lead to the best outcomes.
How We Support Children and Families
We support families who may have questions or concerns about their child’s development, social‑emotional wellbeing, or behaviour, and who may be unsure where to start. The infant and early mental health pathway helps guide families through a clear, supportive process that promotes early identification and timely connection to appropriate services.
Every family’s journey is different, and our role is to walk alongside you—listening, supporting, and helping you navigate next steps with confidence.
ASQ‑3 & ASQ:SE‑2 Developmental & Social‑Emotional Screening
As part of our support, we offer developmental and social‑emotional screening using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires:
- ASQ‑3 looks at key areas of child development, including communication, motor skills, problem‑solving, and personal‑social development.
- ASQ:SE‑2 focuses specifically on social‑emotional development, such as how children express feelings, interact with others, and manage emotions.
Caregivers complete the questionnaires, and trained practitioners score and review the results with you. These tools help identify strengths, highlight areas where extra support may be helpful, and guide next steps. Screening tools are not diagnostic, but they play an important role in understanding your child’s development and planning supports early.
Developmental Support Plans
When screening identifies an area where additional support may be helpful, a Developmental Support Plan (DSP) may be created.
DSPs are strength‑based and tailored to your child. They:
- Identify a clear developmental goal based on ASQ results
- Provide practical, day‑to‑day strategies caregivers can use at home
- Explain why the goal matters and how it supports your child’s growth
DSPs are created by trained professionals and are designed to support everyday interactions and routines. They are not treatment plans and do not replace specialized or intensive services, but they can be an important step in promoting healthy development and strengthening caregiver confidence.
Connection to Additional Supports
If further support is needed, we help connect families to other early intervention or community services through a warm referral process. This means:
- You are supported in understanding available services
- Information is shared thoughtfully and with your consent
- Transitions to other supports feel coordinated, respectful, and family‑centred
Our goal is to ensure no family feels alone or overwhelmed when seeking help. We focus on collaboration—between families, practitioners, and community partners—to create a network of support around each child and family.
Why Early Support Matters
Early identification and support for social, emotional, and developmental needs can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life. By screening early, supporting caregivers, and connecting families to the right services, we help build strong foundations for learning, relationships, and wellbeing—now and into the future.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about infant and early mental health supports, we’re here to help.
