What early intervention (atención temprana) is and who qualifies

Terms used

• CDIAT — The CDIAT is a child development and early care centre where a team of specialists treats children aged 0-6.
• CDIAP — The CDIAP is the Catalan name for the CDIAT, the early care centre for children aged 0-6.
• CAIT — The CAIT is the Andalusian name for the early care centre for young children.
• Logopedia — Logopedia is speech and language therapy.

Key rules

• Regional service: Each region runs its own atención temprana network, so centres and criteria depend on where you live.
• Risk counts: Your child can qualify because of a risk factor, not only an existing delay or disorder.
• Where to start: Search your region's official website for atención temprana, or ask your paediatrician or municipal social services.

What it is

Atención temprana is a public early-care service for children with a developmental delay or disorder, or at risk of one. It also supports their family and surroundings. It is run by each region, not by the national government, so the network, names and rules differ depending on where you live.

The therapy happens in a local child development centre. Most regions call it a CDIAT. In Catalonia it is a CDIAP, and in Andalucía it is a CAIT. A team of different specialists works with your child there.

Which ages are covered

Atención temprana covers children from birth up to 6 years old. Support can start before birth or at birth if there is a known risk. Some regions let a child continue until the end of the school year in which they turn 6. Ask your region how it treats the cut-off.

Who qualifies

Your child can qualify in three ways:

• A developmental disorder. This includes motor, sensory, language, cognitive or communication difficulties, autism spectrum conditions and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• A developmental delay. Your child is reaching milestones later than expected.
• A risk of either. Risk is usually grouped into three kinds:
  • Biological: prematurity, low birth weight, complications around birth, genetic or neurological conditions.
  • Psychological or family: for example, a parent's mental illness or attachment problems.
  • Social: deprivation, neglect or other vulnerable circumstances.

Each region sets its exact criteria in its own decree. Your centre or paediatrician can tell you how they apply to your child.

What the service offers

Services usually include early stimulation, speech therapy (logopedia), physiotherapy, psychomotor therapy, and psychological and psychopedagogical support. Some centres also offer occupational therapy. Families get guidance, support and training. The centre also coordinates with health, education and social services. Services and intensity vary by region and by centre.

Which office to contact

Your first contact is the regional department that runs the service. Names change when governments change, so search your region's official website for "atención temprana" plus the name of the region, and "centros" or "directorio".

• Madrid: the social services department, with education and health also involved.
• Catalonia: the social rights department (Drets Socials), which runs the CDIAP network, with health and education coordinating.
• Andalucía: the health department, which oversees the CAIT centres.

In other regions, ask your child's paediatrician at the local health centre, your municipal social services, or the regional disability office. Disability associations also keep lists of centres.

The timeline and quick answers below cover when to start, cost, and what paperwork you need.

Timeline and deadlines

• Start atención temprana as early as pregnancy or birth if there is a risk: From birth, or earlier if there is a prenatal or perinatal risk

• Receive support from your regional centre (CDIAT, CAIT or CDIAP): Throughout the years from birth up to 6 years old

Quick answers on early intervention

Is atención temprana free for families?

Yes, public atención temprana is generally free for families in Catalonia, Andalucía, Madrid and Valencia. In Valencia, free places go to eligible children after assessment. Private therapy outside the public system is paid by you.

Do I need a formal diagnosis to start atención temprana?

No, a formal diagnosis is generally not required to start atención temprana. You need a referral or a report showing a delay, a disorder or a risk, for example from your paediatrician, nursery or school guidance team. The centre then does its own assessment. In Catalonia you can also approach the CDIAP centre directly.

Do I need to be registered at my address (empadronamiento) to get atención temprana?

Yes, you will generally be asked for empadronamiento, the registration of your address at the town hall, because places are given to residents and centres are assigned by area. Children in an irregular administrative situation can normally still access the service. Check your region's rules.

Can I use private therapy alongside public atención temprana?

Yes, you can use private therapy alongside public atención temprana, and it does not usually remove your public place. You pay for the private therapy yourself. Some centres ask the therapists to coordinate, and some regions may reduce public hours if your child already gets equivalent support.