EARLY INTERVENTION
Early Intervention for baby who already has a handicapping condition or is at a potential risk for developing one and then providing service to lessen the effects of that condition
It is a systematic and planned service offered to children in infancy and early childhood period. It has a holistic approach to child development. Therefore it includes stimulation in various development areas (Sensory, Motor Cognitive, Speech Language ,socialization and play and self care skills. its is systematic programming through an easy set of training strategies to help parents and care givers in training their children special needs and in developing full potential of these children to help them function along with normal children
Hence the programme cover children in the age group 0-6 yrs .Early intervention draws on the expertise of psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Staff Nurse, Speech Therapist, Special Educator, Social Worker to identify the cause-MR , baseline assessment (IQ) level, analyzing sensory motor deficit, delayed milestone, speech problem, fits etc.
Besides early assessment and treatment plan the programme also involves making parents aware of various concessions, reservation and Welfare scheme introduced by the Govt. for mentally challenged children from time to time.
Main aims includes:-
1. Realize the importance and need of early identification and assessment.
2. To know about the various approaches for assessment
3. To improve the various skills of the child according to his potential
4. Assist the family members in the care management of the child
5. Techniques to prevent the contractures, deformities (use of splints , aids etc)
6. Alternate methods for learning & performances
7. To give knowledge about the therapeutics techniques which the child requires
8. Different techniques for learning ADL
9. To tell about the various Govt. schemes and benefits for the MR children
10. Counselling of parents & family members
Early intervention started at Govt. Institute for Mentally Retarded Children Sec-32,Chandigarh in the month of Aug 2002 with the aim at special treatment for children upto 6yrs at age with multiple disabilities like cerebral palsy, autism,& mental Retardation. Every Wednesday is fixed for this programme.To deal with such cases various specialist sit together as a team under one root for assessment.
The team includes :-
One Psychiatrist One Child Specialist One Psychologist Occupational therapist Speech Therapist Special Educator Social Worker Staff Nurse |
Psychiatrist is there to deal with the problem of fits or any other illness associated with.
Psychologist do the baseline assessment (IQ level and deals with behavioural problem).
Occupational therapist deals with sensory motor skills, cognitive perceptual skills and developmental delay and any type of contracture & deformity .
Speech Therapist is there to deal with the problems of speech deficit.
Special Educator deal with different problems regarding self help skills, teaching skills.
Social worker is there to provide information regarding disability certificate, various scheme and benefits.
Staff Nurse deals with medical problems.
In the morning hours i.e 9.00 A.M to 11.00 A.M complete assessment is done after that a group is formed for counselling session in which parents are made fully aware of MR , its causes and related misconception.
The cases for the follow up come at 12:30 P.M to attend the next session. In the next session different type of therapy plan is given according to their needs. After this session individual therapy starts.
Till now 370 cases has been assessed and has been benefited according to their needs.