"Early intervention" refers to services for children from birth to six who have a disability or are at risk for developing a disability. The rate of human learning and development is most rapid during these preschool years. As children in this age group represent a large proportion of the population in the developing world, their well-being may have grave implications for the future of these countries. Their inability to participate economically and socially once they are adults, may become a major barrier to poverty reduction.
A recent event at the World Bank addressed these issues and highlighted the complexity of overcoming obstacles in developing nations. Barbara Lancelot from the Center for International Rehabilitation described her activities in Nicaragua to overcome a lack of services for parents of children with a developmental disability. During her presentation, she provided examples of improving early detection and increasing information on childhood development for parents.
She described a range of interventions including age-appropriate play activities that stimulate physical and sensory development and more complex activities that promote literacy and thinking skills, such as word games, reading, and story telling. Other activities included teaching parents how to hold and move a child with neuromotor problems. She described her work preparing a needs assessment for Nicaragua, the selection of an appropriate curriculum, coordination with government ministries, and examples of community-based rehabilitation programs in Nicaragua.
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