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Who are we?

The Champion Centre provides a range of services for children whose developmental progress is impacted by conditions such as Down syndrome, other genetic disorders, cerebral palsy, the consequences of prematurity, epilepsy, developmental dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorder and brain injury.

The Centre uses a holistic approach based on a working partnership with parents/whānau as first teachers. There are three core components – Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Early Intervention Teaching. They are augmented and integrated at age appropriate stages with learning through musical play, technology supported learning, early childhood play, and early intervention educator programmes.

This Centre-based approach is constantly reviewed and updated incorporating cutting edge research. It is a programme, which celebrates the whole child and their whānau and is recognised on the international stage for the quality of its early intervention practice.

Most children and families attend the Champion Centre once a week throughout the school term. Programme consists of individual sessions and group play. Each child will have one on one time with a range of therapists catering to the child's needs. This can include physiotherapists, early intervention educators, speech therapists, musical play therapists, social workers, and more. Group play provides the opportunity for children to interact and for parents to get to know one another.