Early Intervention for Childhood Disabilities

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.

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. Its important services include (i) Medical treatment of children suffering from disabilities (ii) Occupational and Physio therapy that relate to self-help skills, adaptive behavior, play, sensory, motor and postural development, sensory integration Oro motor and feeding

difficulties (iii) Psychological services including counseling, consultation, parent training and behavior modification intervention to enhance cognitive development, adaptive and learning behaviors (iv) Identifying and providing services for children with hearing loss for congenital as well as acquired deafness (v) Speech – language pathology to improve speech and communication skills or motor skills such as weakness of muscle around mouth (vi) Optometric services to identify visual disorders and provide services and training (vii) Nutrition services to address nutritional needs including feeding skills, feeding problems, food habits and preferences (viii) Social support services (ix) Psycho social services including designing learning environments and activities that promote child’s development and providing families with information and support to enhance child’s development (x) Documenting and maintaining care records for service delivery and research

 We have started in right earnest in this path and are aware that we have miles to go in this direction. As there are very few pioneering institutions in this field in India, our journey is all the more challenging.

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.