Becoming an Early Intervention Specialist (Part 2)

In my previous blog, I shared my own journey into early intervention and some context on how the role developed within certain organisations in Ireland.
In this second part, I want to speak to anyone considering early intervention as a profession and wondering how to move towards it in a realistic way. If you are searching for how to become an Early Intervention Specialist in Ireland, I hope this blog helps to signpost you towards the next steps.

Early Intervention Specialists are still a very small group within disability services and charities. Many families never meet one, and I would love to see that change. Ideally, every child with a developmental disability would have access to this kind of support from birth until school age, linked to an early intervention multidisciplinary team, with an Early Intervention Specialist offering ongoing support to the child and family.

While Early Intervention Specialists are still small in number in Ireland, I do feel things are slowly shifting. Some teams are adding an Early Intervention Specialist for the first time, while in other organisations the role has been established for years and is recognised as a senior clinical post, with opportunities to progress into clinical management.

If this is a career path you would love to pursue, I can tell you that it can be a wonderful, meaningful and fulfilling career.

Training and experience: what really matters
People often ask if there is a specific course that leads to early intervention.
In Ireland, there is no single route. Early Intervention Specialists often come from backgrounds in psychology, early childhood education, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, or related fields. There are also master’s degrees in education with pathways in early intervention, and these can be valuable too.
In my experience, once you have your primary degree, organisations are looking for real knowledge and skills, whether that comes from further study or years of experience in disability services. Training matters, but targeted training can be provided in the job. What organisations cannot provide is years of hands-on experience.
If you already have your foundation degree and are considering this career path, my honest advice is to focus on experience first. The learning you gain in those early roles becomes your biggest asset.

A practical way into early intervention
Sometimes people think they need the perfect job title to get started. They do not. Often, the most valuable step is taking on a role that brings you closer to the real work, even if it is not yet called “early intervention specialist.” You might start as a basic grade therapist, a classroom assistant in an inclusive preschool, or in any role that gives you direct experience.

I have seen this many times. One colleague who joined the role in recent years had a background in early childhood education. She started as a class teacher at a preschool supporting children with developmental disabilities, and her work quickly stood out. She was warm, committed, and eager to learn from the therapists visiting that setting.
She then moved into a home visiting programme for families in a disadvantaged area. She valued the learning and mentoring that the job offered, and she used that time well. Later, when a well-established Early Intervention Specialist role came up, she got it, even ahead of others who looked more qualified on paper. What made the difference was her hands-on expertise and her initiative.
I relate to that story because I also started in a home visiting role. It was an early stepping stone for me, and the learning was huge. I learned from colleagues and from every family I worked with.

Another thing people often underestimate is professional connections. If you are committed, reliable, and respectful, people notice. Those relationships can lead to opportunities over time.

The skills that matter most
When services recruit for an Early Intervention Specialist, they are often trying to answer one key question: Can this person work well with families?
Interview panels look for skills, but they also notice your manner. A warm, welcoming presence matters in this role, and so does genuine respect for families and teams, because early intervention depends on your ability to build strong relationships with families and colleagues.
Organisations also value initiative. Disability services move at a fast pace, and there can be pressure. Teams need people who can stay solution-focused and take action when needed.
As interview panels will assess your problem-solving ability, it helps to reflect on your strengths and abilities as a professional. Before an interview, prepare a few real examples. Panels usually want to hear what you have actually done in practice, not only what courses you have attended. For example:

- A time you supported a child’s communication, engagement, or participation
- A time you guided a parent at a time of difficulty
- A time you worked well with a preschool team or other professionals
- A time you showed initiative or solved a problem

Training that supports the role
These are not the only options for additional training; there are so many, but they are common areas that support early intervention work in a practical way:

• Communication is central, so learning about AAC helps. In Ireland, knowledge of Lámh is a very strong starting point. Programmes such as Hanen can also be very helpful, because they support early interaction and communication in everyday routines.

• Portage also shaped my own practice. It is a home visiting educational model developed in England and Wales. I trained in Portage many years ago, and it fitted our work extremely well. At its core, it is about partnership with families, practical support through daily routines, and building progress step by step. Even if formal Portage training is not easy to access now in Ireland, reading about working with families can strengthen your understanding of this role.

• Parent training is often part of the role, too. Experience delivering parenting programmes is a real plus, and many organisations use programmes such as Parents Plus or EarlyBird. Even if a service can train you in these, any experience you already have in training, mentoring, or public speaking will stand to you.

• Because this role involves working so closely with families, training in reflective listening is invaluable. I personally trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. You are not providing counselling in early intervention, but this type of training supports the way you have conversations with families. It helps you notice strengths, build on what is already working, and guide people towards small, realistic steps forward.

• Aim to attend as much training as you can related to different disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, and rarer genetic conditions. Organisations like As I Am, Down Syndrome Ireland, and Middletown Centre for Autism often offer free training sessions that can be invaluable for your professional development. There are many specialised courses available too, but I would start with these free events and build from there.

If you are starting now, three steps for the next three months

1. Scan the job market
   Search for “early intervention specialist jobs” regularly and read job descriptions carefully. Even if you are not applying yet, they show you what experience services value.
2. Pick one or two targeted trainings
   College provides a foundation, but many practical skills are learned through targeted training and experience. Lámh Module One can be a very good place to start. Training related to autism, neurodiversity, or Down syndrome can strengthen your understanding, too.
3. Stay close to good practice

If you have the opportunity to work or collaborate with established disability services, take it. Try to spend time observing and learning from the most experienced members of the team.

Final thoughts
If you are reading this, there is probably something in you that feels drawn to early intervention. That was me many years ago. I did not know much about this specific role at the time, but every journey begins with a first step.
If this path calls to you, focus on learning, building hands-on experience, building relationships, and staying curious. There is no single route.
If you are considering this path and you have questions about where to start, I would love to hear from you. And if you are an Early Intervention Specialist reading this, what tips would you share with someone just starting out? I would genuinely love to hear.

You can read Part 1 of this blog here.