[Child development and early intervention centers]

Child development and early intervention centres (CDIAT) are centres with interdisciplinary characteristics whose objective is the care of children under 6 years of age with developmental disorders or at risk of developing them.

The main goal of these centers is the detection and diagnosis of developmental disorders (TD) in order to begin treatment and support and to counsel the family when the first signs of developmental disorders appear or situations of risk are suspected. The concept of CDIAT is based on a broad concept of 'developmental disorders' which includes not only conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Learning Discapacity but also difficulties of differing degrees in all developmental fields, be they motor, communication, language, cognitive, behavioural or emotional. The most specific characteristics of a CDIAT are its interdisciplinarity, coordination with the resources within the area and community involvement.

A CDIAT, with its interdisciplinary and highly specialised team, becomes a referral centre for professionals in the area when they suspect the presence of developmental disorders, giving better opportunity for more integrated attention, permitting the onset of family advice and intervention at a very early age, when definite diagnosis is often difficult.