Are you concerned about your little one's development? Let's talk about 'Early Intervention'!

Do you sometimes feel like your little one is a little late in smiling, rolling over, or speaking words like other babies? Aunts next door, your own mothers sometimes say things like, "Oh, our little one is jumping around at this age." It's very normal for a mother or father to feel a little scared and worried when they hear things like this. But the most important thing is not to panic at times like these, but to be fully aware of this. That's why we thought of talking about this very important topic today, which is "Early Intervention."

What exactly is "Early Intervention"?

Simply put, Early Intervention refers to special services provided to young children, that is, infants and toddlers, with some developmental delay or developmental disability, as early as possible to help them develop their abilities.

Now let's see what these two words mean.

• Developmental Delay: This is when your child is a little late in reaching certain developmental milestones compared to other children their age. For example, while other babies start rolling over at 6 months, your baby takes about 8 months. Or while others are saying one or two words a year, your child still doesn't seem to be saying anything. This is what is called a "delay." But the good news is that with the right support and training, these children can often catch up with others .

• Developmental Disability: This is a little different. This is a condition that usually lasts a lifetime. This can affect a child's movement, learning, communication, or behavior. The best examples of this are conditions like (Autism) and (ADHD) .

So, the main goal of Early Intervention services is to help children with such delays or disabilities develop the basic skills they need for life.

Let's see what these skills are:

• Rolling over in bed
• Crawling
• Walking
• Reaching for objects (reaching for objects)
• Learning and solving problems
• Speaking and listening
• Understanding others
• Playing and socializing with others
• Taking care of themselves, such as eating and dressing themselves

What is the minimum age to start these services?

Early Intervention services are designed for children from birth to 3 years of age . In some countries, this is implemented up to 5 years of age. In Sri Lanka too, it is very important to focus on these things as early as possible, that is, before the age of 3.

Sometimes, these services may be needed right after a child is born. How is that possible? Imagine, when a child is born, doctors identify a genetic disorder. In such cases, because that condition can affect the child's development, the doctors themselves refer you to these Early Intervention programs.

But these things are not always visible at birth. Sometimes when you take your baby to the regular monthly clinic, the doctor or midwife is the first to notice that there is a slight delay in the baby's development. Then they refer you to the necessary specialists and therapists.

But remember this: If you have the slightest suspicion that "something is different with my child," don't wait until the next clinic. Listen to your mother's instincts. If that's what you're feeling, see your doctor as soon as possible and explain clearly what you see and what you feel. From there, he or she will show you the way forward.

How can I get services like this in Sri Lanka?

While countries like the US have separate government programs for this, in Sri Lanka this process happens through our health system. The first and most important thing you need to do is to see your pediatrician . Or you can also talk to your local Public Health Midwife (PHM) .

This is what usually happens:

1. First visit to the doctor: Talk to the doctor about your concerns. Explain what you see about your child's development.

2. Medical examination: The doctor examines the child carefully and checks whether the developmental milestones are being met on time.

3. Referral to specialists: If the doctor suspects that there is a delay, he will refer you to the necessary specialists. They are the ones who provide these Early Intervention services.

These services are available through Child Development Units in government hospitals, especially larger hospitals (e.g. Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital). There are also specialized centers in the private sector for this purpose. Your doctor will provide you with more information about this.

How does a child qualify for these services?

If specialists determine that a child has a developmental delay or disability, that child qualifies for these services. This is determined after a multi-step evaluation process.

1. Initial Evaluation: Here, child development specialists (such as speech therapists, physical therapists) talk and play with the child to assess the child's abilities and challenges.

2. Notification of results: After this assessment, the specialist team will talk to you and explain the results. Here you can find out whether your child needs Early Intervention services or not.

3. In-depth Assessment: Once it is determined that the child needs services, the next step is to determine exactly what the child's needs are and what types of therapies are most appropriate.

4. Developing an Individualized Plan: Next, the team of specialists will work with you to create a plan that is specific to your child. This plan clearly outlines the child's needs, the services provided, and the goals we expect.

Once this plan is created, the child will begin receiving the necessary therapeutic services. Throughout this process, you can ask any questions and clarify any doubts. This plan is usually reviewed every 6 months and necessary changes are made based on the child's progress.

What are some things you can do as a parent at home?

There are many things you can do at home to help your child's development. Your therapist will give you specific advice for your child. But, imagine that you have to wait a few more weeks to see a specialist. Rather than spending that time worrying, there are some simple things you can do for your child.

Talk to your doctor about this as well. In general, things like these can greatly stimulate a child's brain development:

• Read books to your child: Choose books with large, colorful pictures. Don't assume your child won't understand what you're reading. Your voice and the rhythm of your words lay the foundation for your child's language skills.
• Sing songs: Simple, children's songs like singing and clapping bring great joy to a child.
• Offer a variety of toys: Let your child touch toys with different shapes, colors, and textures. This will develop their sense of touch.
• Point to things around you and talk: Point to the cat in the house or the bird in the sky and say, "Look, there's a cat," or "That's a bird."
• Name everything: When feeding your baby, say "this is the milk bottle," when bathing, "this is the soap," and name everything you do and pick up.
• Talk about what you are doing: Let your child hear what you are doing at that moment, such as "Mommy is eating rice now," or "Let's go take a bath now."

We live in a fast-paced world. There is a belief in society that everything should be done first, and best. So, when you find out that your child is a little behind the others, it is natural for you to be worried about his future. Questions like, "Will he be able to do well in school? What kind of job will he have when he grows up?" may arise in your mind.

But the truth is, no one can predict the future of any child. It is also important to remember that every child develops at their own pace . Also, you will be very encouraged to know that Early Intervention specialists have the knowledge and tools to come to your child's place and help him. They will help him develop skills at a pace that suits him, and they will educate and support you in the same way. Because don't forget, you are the first and most important teacher a child will ever meet in life.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's development, talk to your doctor about it. Also, never hesitate to seek out and refer to these services. The more you research and learn about this, the more confident you will be in making decisions for your child's future.

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