Early childhood intervention (ECI) refers to a comprehensive program of physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy, along with other supporting interventions, individualised for a child’s specific needs, typically from birth to 3 years of age. ECI is extremely crucial to give a child with Down syndrome the best chance at achieving their potential later in life. It helps an individual in four main areas of development: gross and fine motor skills, language, social development and self-help skills.
ECI prevents a child with Down syndrome from reaching a plateau in their development. ECI programs aim to enhance and accelerate development by building on a child’s strengths and strengthening the areas they are weak in./p>
Early Intervention should begin any time shortly after birth, and continue until the child reaches age three. The sooner early intervention begins, the better, however, it’s never too late to start. Once it is determined that your baby has Down syndrome, you may contact therapists and specialists who can help with designing an early intervention program for your child. KDSP can help you in connecting with such therapists. For more information please contact us at info@kdsp.org.pk
The Early Childhood Intervention department is housed within the KDSP Development Center, which is one of the two prominent facilities operated by KDSP.
Early intervention should begin shortly after birth, and ideally continue until the child reaches age three. The sooner the intervention begins, the better; however, it is never too late to start. KDSP offers Early Childhood Intervention (Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy) to individuals aged 0-7 years.
Once it is determined that your baby has Down syndrome, you may contact therapists and specialists who can help with designing an early intervention program for your child. KDSP can facilitate you in connecting with such specialists. For more information you may email us at info@kdsp.org.pk or call us at +92-334-3355377
According to research, children with Down syndrome who have received Early Intervention tend to have a greater potential for learning and are more likely to function as contributing members of society. However, it is important to remember that each child is a unique individual with their own strengths and weaknesses, abilities, and rate of development. Hence, expectations from kids in terms of achieving their milestones should be realistic. Unrealistically high expectations place an undue pressure on the child while low expectations can limit a child’s development. Having an accepting approach towards your child’s development is the best way to go. Recognizing and reinforcing the smallest increments of progress in the development journey of a child is most likely to have a positive effect on their development.
As a part of its Early Childhood Intervention Program , KDSP offers the following three therapies:
Physical Therapy focuses on regimens for better lung development and exercises to attain, maintain, or prevent deterioration of a gross motor skill or function never learned or acquired due to a disabling condition. Gross motor skills are skills that develop through using the large muscles of the body in a coordinated and controlled way and helps the child in achieving their milestones such as neck holding, independent sitting ,walking, running etc.
Physical therapy should start from the first month of a child’s life to achieve the best possible outcomes. Proper lung development is essential in the early years of life; to make sure that it timely happens, correct positioning of the child, along with some exercises is highly essential. Strengthening exercises should also be initiated to improve muscle tone and endurance. If a child with Down syndrome timely receives physical therapy, it can help them achieve their milestones quicker.
Physical therapy services at KDSP initiated in January 2016, and since then KDSP has been providing quality services under the supervision of a specialised Paediatric Physical Therapist. Therapies at KDSP are play based since a joyful environment better aids learning. The parents/guardians of a child and their therapist work as a team so that they can cater to the child’s individualised needs in the best possible way.
Days: Monday to Saturday | Timings: 9:00am-5:30pm.
Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centred health profession which enables an individual to participate in their occupations of everyday life. These include work, play, and activities of daily living. An occupational therapist evaluates how different health conditions can affect a person’s functioning and thus helps them overcome or work around the difficulties.
Occupational Therapy helps an individual improve their fine and gross motor skills. Occupational Therapists work with children to improve their arm, wrist and hand strength along with coordination and control. This allows them to gain independence in everyday tasks such as feeding, eating, and dressing etc. Occupational therapy also assists to develop play and cognitive skills. All of this allows children receiving therapy to be able to actively participate in everyday activities and actively communicate with their peers.
KDSP’s occupational therapy clinic was set up in March 2015, aiming to provide early intervention and support to children with Down syndrome. KDSP also places importance on educating care-givers so that they can understand the importance of a specific skill and continue practising it with their child. Therapy sessions are conducted weekly, bi-monthly and monthly as per the child’s need.
Days: Monday to Saturday | Timings: 9:00am-5:30pm.
Speech and language therapy provides support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, speech, language, and swallowing. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) work with parents, care takers and other professionals, such as teachers, nurses, occupational therapists and doctors in managing speech delays.
Children with Down syndrome usually have speech and language related developmental delays. This includes both, their receptive (understanding) language and expressive (speaking and composing sentences) language. Speech-language pathologists have information and expertise to help address the speech and language problems faced by many children with Down syndrome. A speech therapist will help in managing the following:
Speech delays | Language delays | Fluency disorders | Voice and resonance (nasality) disorders | Swallowing and feeding problems | Cognitive-communication disorders/barriers.
KDSP has been offering speech and language therapy services since March 2016. These services have helped children in communicating their needs in daily life, in enhancing social interaction skills, and breaking the communication barrier that exists when one has speech and language delays. Speech and language therapy sessions are conducted weekly, bi-monthly or once a month, based on the child’s need and feasibility options.
Days: Monday to Saturday | Timings: 9:00am-5:30pm.