What is Early Intervention Programme in context of Physiotherapy?

WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME?

Early intervention supports the needs of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES?

To enhance the development of infants and toddlers: 

1. Physical development
2. Cognitive development
3. Communication development
4. Social and emotional development
5. Adaptive development To enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY INTERVENTION?

Children from birth to three years of age who: are delayed in their development have a diagnosis of a physical or mental condition that can result in a developmental delay

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN EARLY INTERVENTION?

Physiotherapy is a primary service in early intervention.

Physiotherapists work collaboratively as members of a team.

Physiotherapists are service providers, consultants, and can be service coordinators.

HOW DO THEY ASSESS THE HIGH RISK CHILDREN?

There are various scaled currently used according to the child age 

WHAT ARE TREATMENTS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN EARLY INTERVENTION?

Physiotherapy helps children to:

1. learn to crawl so they can move from place to place, get to their toys or follow their parents around the house.
2. learn to sit so they can play on the floor with their siblings and friends.
3. improve balance so they can walk on the grass or in the sand without falling.
4. get stronger so they can keep up with their friends.
5. be fit so they can be active with their friends.
6. hold, explore, and play with toys of different sizes, shapes, and weights.
7. helps children develop coordination so they can run, climb, slide or jump in the outdoor.
8. helps children learn how to hold objects to build, create, and participate in self-care activities.

HOW PHYSIOTHEAPY HELP THE FAMILY IN EARLY INTERVENTION

1. understand how to meet their child’s needs
2. create opportunities for their child to develop motor abilities
3. find resources in their community that are suited to meet their needs
4. transition their child to preschool or other
5. inclusive education in normal schools.
6. helps families make decisions on adaptive equipment when and if needed by the child
7. improves the overall well being and quality of both the child and their family.