In Bremen, there are various early intervention programs for children who need more attention, support, and encouragement than other children in their early years to develop properly. Your pediatrician is the first point of contact if you are concerned that your child is not developing appropriately for their age.
If, for example, your child was born with a disability or is not developing as expected and is lagging significantly behind other children of the same age, medical, therapeutic, and special education interventions can often be beneficial to provide optimal support. These treatments and support services help your child's development. These services can only be prescribed by a pediatrician after a comprehensive examination of your child.
Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Centers (IFF)
Since the end of 2012, several districts of Bremen have had so-called Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Centers (IFF). These centers employ medical, therapeutic, and special education professionals. They support children from birth until school entry with developmental delays, developmental disorders, and disabilities. Depending on the child's needs, the support includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and special education.
What is a "complex service" – and how do I apply for it?
The individualized support and treatment plan is also referred to as a "comprehensive service." It combines and optimizes services through coordinated procedures and approaches within the expert teams at early intervention centers. These comprehensive services are now also offered in some daycare centers.
If you have any questions, you can use the open consultation service for general inquiries and information about potential support for your child. If your child's need for support has been approved, early intervention can be provided at an IFF ( Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Center), an IFF branch (daycare center), or via a mobile service (at home). You can also find frequently asked questions (FAQ) here: Interdisciplinary Early Intervention
Locations of the Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Centers (IFF):
- Early intervention – Conpart eV.
- Interdisciplinary Early Intervention (IFF) – Hans-Wendt Foundation
- Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Center | German Red Cross Bremen
- Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Center IFF – AWO Bremen
- Early intervention – Lebenshilfe Bremen
- Early Intervention Center of the Bremen Protestant Church (Headquarters)
- Early intervention services | Autism Bremen eV.
You can use the open consultation hours at these locations:
- Providers and locations of Interdisciplinary Early Intervention (IFF) City of Bremen
- Providers and locations of early intervention centers for autism in the city of Bremen
Source: The Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, Early Childhood Development
