Early Intervention for Children in Guatemala

In August 2020, ADISA started to provide therapies to prioritized children, about 40 children (22 girls, 18 boys). ADISA considered those children in special and urgent needs to follow up according to their disability. The rest of children in the program were supported in other activities, ADISA deliver examples of exercises to parents so they could work with their children at home. 

ADISA prepared its facilities with all measures to prevent contagion of COVID 19 to start delivering therapies to children and their families. All materials were disinfected after each therapy. When home visiting ADISA staff were prepared to disinfect all material and the families were also prepared and supporting staff with measures of prevention. Every one was using mask, staff, children, families during therapies and visits. 

The last quarter 2020 Therapist Johana made an assessment to Fernanda, she´s two years old, and Johana diced to discharge her from the program. Fernanda started in ADISA about a year and a half ago, she couldn`t crawl or change posture, during all this time Fernanda and her family were working very hard developing sensory exercises and motor strength. Fernanda's family supported her during the pandemic. Now they are very happy because Fernanda is running, she has balance and a great progress in other areas. 

Life Story: Diego 

Diego was born five years ago, since he was born, he and his family spent a lot of time visiting hospitals for several reasons, like heart conditions, eye sight problems, even flu. His overall development was very slow, but Diego achieve to walk by himself after his two years old.  A main concern of his family was his delay in speech, that was the reason to searched help in ADISA. After a several studies finally, the family got a diagnosis of Diego, Down syndrome. 

Diego is attending to his therapies every week, he’s showing a significative development, he´s walking good, his balance is strong, communication with other people is good, he understands instructions from exercises or activities in therapies and out of it. Now he needs to improve his fine motor. Diego is speaking more and more with other people using new words but he continues communicating with other with signs and not using words.