What is Early childhood intervention?
Early childhood intervention is a support and educational system for very young children (aged birth to six years) who have been victims of, or who are at high risk for child abuse and/or neglect as well as children who have developmental delays or disabilities.
What is Developmental Delay?
Developmental Delay is when your child does not reach his development milestones at expected times. Delay can occur in one or more areas for example Gross Motors, Fine Motors, Speech and Language, Social skills or Cognition skills.
How early can a child be identified?
A Child’s delayed developments could be identified as early as 6 months or before.
Why is intervention needed?
The first three years of a child’s life are an amazing time of development and what happens during those years stays with a child for life time. It is hence important to watch for signs of delay in development and to get help if any problem is suspected.
What should be done when the delay is identified?
In such cases Early detection by Pediatrician/parent/Play school teachers shall help the child in following the early intervention therapies. Before starting the early intervention therapies counseling the parent towards acceptance of the delay and inculcating faith in the therapies so as to enable them to follow at home plays a major role. Once the parent accepts and is ready to support the therapist by following the home plan, the therapies at the early intervention center starts.
What are the therapies that can help?
- Parent counselling
- Family counselling (if in a joint family)
- Occupational Therapy viz., play therapy/sensory integration
- Behaviour Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Remedial Education just before the INCLUSION.
What is the role of parent in Early Intervention?
Parents play avital role in early intervention services. They have a significant impact on children’s development and social-emotional wellbeing. Parent involvement is a critical ingredient of efficient developmental intervention.
