Why is intervention important

It is for example well known that the first two years of life is a critical period of learning tasks, because there is a burst of synapse production in the brain, and this is the time where the brain is most likely to adapt and learn Johnston, If your child has already been diagnosed with a disability or is at risk of developing a disability, your child has probably already been in contact with professionals like physicians, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nutritionist among others at your hospital.

These professionals can help to start the right interventions for your child. They can also guide and support you and your family to meet those special needs your child might have. Recent research gives us some suggestions for intervention in the early phase of life. Motor developmental stimulation means that the child will be stimulated into naturally development stages — from lying, to rolling, sitting, four-point kneeling, and into standing.

Together with a professional, parents can define goals for the intervention and develop a program to reach the goals. These goals and programs should be adjusted continuously as the child develops. A professional will perform the training together with the parents and guide the parents on how to support the child with their hands and by communication. One example is a diaper change where you will have to know how to position the baby relative to yourself, mirrors, toys and other objects that the child is interested in looking at or touching.

Awareness of these aspects makes it possible to stimulate the child in a direction of development during all types of situations and activities throughout the day. Using this approach, the child can achieve a high training volume without having the feeling of training all day long. Trial and error is also a part of the stimulation for development. To achieve these goals, families need the support of Early Childhood Intervention Services. Why are the early years important?

These risk factors are not deterministic or predictive at an individual level: they cannot tell us exactly which child or young person will need help. But they can help us to identify children who are vulnerable and who may need extra support. Studies show that early intervention works best when it is made available to children on the basis of pre-identified risks.

It can also prevent frustration—so common in children with communication difficulties—from turning into more difficult behaviors. These connections, also called neural circuits, are the foundation for learning, behavior, and health. Over time, these connections become harder to change. I believe that early intervention is the reason my high-functioning son is now able to blend in with his peers and attend kindergarten in a regular classroom with no supports. He has overcome most of his symptoms and is headed to college next year.

For more information, including what to say when you contact early intervention and how to get support for your family, visit the cdc.