Early intervention services to children with developmental delay in resource poor settings in India

Authors

  • R Lakhan Dr.P.H. Epidemiology Candidate, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, College of public service, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
  • A Mario Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, College of public service, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
  • FN Qureshi M.P.H. Epidemiology Candidate School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS Assistant Professor and Program Director, Child and Adolescent Fellowship Training Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
  • ML Hall Department of Communicative Disorders, School of Health Sciences, College of public service, Jackson State University, MS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i2.8966

Keywords:

Community-Based Rehabilitation, developmental delay, early intervention, Early intervention tool

Abstract

Background: Early intervention has been proven to be effective in facilitating development in children with developmental delay (DD). However, such service, subject of this study, is not available to DD children in most of India. Against the odds, therefore, one non-government organization (NGO) in the country, Ashagram Trust (AGT), decided to establish a service unit in a resource-poor geographical setting. This study aimed to examine the impact of early intervention provided to children with DD by Community Based Rehabilitation Workers (CBRWs) under supervision of professionals.

Methods: Data analysis of pre- and -post scores on an early intervention tool (EIT). A total of 67 children (male 38, female 29), ages 6 through 36 months, ranging in DD from borderline (IQ<80) to a high level of DD, received early intervention services provided by community-based rehabilitation workers (CBRWs) under the supervision of professionals. A total of 46 children who stayed in compliance were analyzed.

Results: A paired t-test was conducted. Overall results indicated significant improvement (pre-mean 22, sd – 3.9, post-mean 39, - 4.3, t-value – 6.40, p<0.0002, Pearson correlation 0.873, p<0.05) in children with DD in all four areas of development, motor, communication, cognitive and social.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated positive outcome of early intervention in areas of motor, communication, cognitive and social development of children with DD. Early intervention services may be successfully provided by CBRWs under the supervision of trained professionals in resource-poor tribal areas of India, using low cost locally prepared therapeutic materials.

Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 02 | July-December 2013 | Page 149-155

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i2.8966  

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Published

2013-10-23

How to Cite

Lakhan, R., Mario, A., Qureshi, F., & Hall, M. (2013). Early intervention services to children with developmental delay in resource poor settings in India. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(2), 149–155. https://doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i2.8966

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright © by Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences. The ideas and opinions expressed by authors of articles summarized, quoted, or published in full text in this Journal represents only opinions of authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences or the institute with which the author(s) is (are) affiliated, unless so specified.