Early Intervention for Children in Guatemala

During the second quarter of 2021, our early intervention program integrated a new children participant. About 40 children (14 girls and 26 boys) between 1 to 6 years old are working in pairs mode, involving their parents to see how the activity is carried out and learning how they can help their children at home. This program works very well when children and parents work in groups, because that stimulate the social interaction and contribute to increase their abilities, gives them meaningful learning and they feel more confident. 

 All the therapies have been developed with appropriate measures to prevent contagion of COVID 19 in our offices and home visits with families. ADISAs staff is prepared to disinfect all material to be used in each therapy and the families are helping whit measures of prevention as well. Before and after of every therapy all the materials are disinfected, our staff wash their hands very often, everyone is using mask (staff, children, parents…) during therapy and visits. 

In June 2021, a new occupational therapist volunteer joined our team and currently, she is giving service whit some activities to increase independence of our participants, also she gives advices to parents and ADISAs team to develop activities whit clear objectives. Now she is helping our early intervention program working whit 7 children that requires specific and prioritized attention in occupational activities to live a better life. 

PEDRITO life story 

Pedrito was born on January 19, 2021, at the time of delivery, the doctor saw the absence of amniotic fluid, so the delivery became an emergency and Pedrito was born by cesarean section. At delivery, the doctor saw in Pedrito some physical characteristics, after the complete evaluation Pedrito was diagnosed whit Down’s Syndrome.

Pedrito’s family did not kwon about the meaning of that diagnosis, but they always wanted to support him. In April, some friends told Pedrito’s mother about ADISA and she came to ask about what she can do to help her son. Our therapist begun to work whit Pedrito and his family. Now the family feels more secure about the Pedrito’s future, all of them are very proactive and responsible whit all activities planned, always attending therapies and doing all the activities at home recommended by our therapist. 

Currently Pedrito holds his head, his muscles are stronger, and now he can sit whit some support materials. Pedrito and his family are so excited about his evolving abilities and are very enthusiastic to continue whit the therapies.