Early Intervention for Childhood Disabilities

Early Intervention for Childhood Disabilities is to intervene as early as possible and minimize disability so that the child can reach the highest potential. Research has shown that the period from birth to 6 years are the most critical years for all children, and more so for children with disabilities. Growth and development of a child is at its greatest in the first two to three years. During this phase of cognitive development, foundations of intelligence and behaviour begin to evolve. Additionally, ability of brain to affect structural and functional changes is at its best in this period. If the child misses this opportunity, further learning will be slow and / or inadequate. Early intervention programs work towards quicker inclusion of these children into the mainstream.

 Amar Seva Sangam conducted Surgical/ Medical camp for Early Intervention for Childhood Disabilities in our campus on September 10, 2017.

• AREA: FREE MEDICAL CHECK UP AND SURGICAL AWARENSS
• PARTICIPANTS: 309 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 YEARS
• DURATION: ONE DAY
• HELD DURING: SEPTEMBER 10TH 2017.
• RESOURCE PERSONS: DOCTORS FROM VARIOUS SPECIALTIES WERE BROUGHT FOR THE CONSULTATION INCLUDING
  • ORTHOPEDICIAN-1,
  • PEDIATRICIAN-2,
  • ENT-2,
  • GENERAL MEDICINE-1,
  • DENTIST-2,
  • OPTHOMOLOGIST-1,
  • GYNECOLOGIST-1.
• The children are brought to school by our own bus. They are provided free nutritious lunch, biscuits and milk. The parents are also provided lunch since they come from far off places and generally are from very poor families. The children are given toilet training and self-feeding training. The parents are trained alongside to continue the practice at home.

The idea behind EIC is to intervene as early as possible and minimize disability so that the child can reach the highest potential. Research has shown that the period from birth to 6 years are the most critical years for all children, and more so for children with disabilities. Growth and development of a child is at its greatest in the first two to three years. During this phase of cognitive development, foundations of intelligence and behaviour begin to evolve. Additionally, ability of brain to affect structural and functional changes is at its best in this period. If the child misses this opportunity, further learning will be slow and / or inadequate. Early intervention programs work towards quicker inclusion of these children into the mainstream.

The infrastructure so created includes a Physiotherapy room and a Special sensory integration room. 2 Special education class rooms and a Speech therapy room.

EIC’s role transcends over a very wide spectrum of activities ranging from New born screening, early identification of issue, holistic assessment, diagnosis, interventions, prevention and goes into psycho-social interventions.

Once the children are ready to cope up with general curriculum, they are shifted to our Primary school where they continue studies with general students including physically challenged. The teachers are fully apprised of taking care of the needs of the Special children. Our resource teacher also helps them to carry on their basic academics so that there is a smooth transition.

In case they cannot assimilate into the main stream yet, then after the age of 5, they are shifted to Sangamam, our school for special children for the age of 6 to 16

Links:

• https://www.amarseva.org/index.php