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Early Intervention for Children With Disabilities (CWDs)
3.
Early Intervention for Children With Disabilities
(CWDs)
Often
when a disabled child is born, parents focus on the external – for a cure, for
any improvements. This search takes them from doctors to faith healers to
quacks, till they give up and say that this is now between God and the child.
The
Early Intervention Centres(EICs) that Samarthya first initiated in 2011 in Koppal
and Devadurga is a game changer. Parents come with their children
immediately or earliest after birth. They are often referred to by doctors,
ANMs, Anganwadi workers or other parents.
When
they come with their child, they work one-on-one with their child under the
supervision of trained disability staff. And, while they are waiting for their
turn, they talk to and share with other parents who are waiting. In this
process, not only does the child benefit from the bonding that develops with
their parent, but the parent is also supported by the knowledge that s/he is
not alone with her burden, that there are others like them. This period also
allows parents to come to terms with the reality that their children will lead
normal lives – but within the limitations of their disabilities.
When
a parent and child leave the EIC, the real gain is not the improvement that a
child might make or the psycho-social support that the parent receives, but the
deep bonding that takes place between the child and the parent. Regardless of
the severity of the disability, the child will always know that s/he has one
person in the world who will always be there for them.
Each
EIC addresses development delays in children as early as possible in order to
prevent or minimise same. In order to identify developmental delays at the earliest,
Samarthya works closely with ASHA workers, RBSK (Rashtriya Bala Suraksha
Karyakrama), and government VRWs(Village Rehabilitation Workers) and MRWs (Multi
Rehabilitation Workers) for referrals and disability sensitisation through
continuous engagement and training.