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Needs of handicapped infants, toddlers and families. Florida's response
Insights
Florida physicians are enhancing care for at-risk infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Early interventions aim for successful community integration and educational preparedness, shifting focus from birth outcomes to long-term child success.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health Initiatives
- Early Intervention Services
Background:
- Florida's healthcare system is embracing opportunities to support infants and toddlers.
- There's a recognized need to address developmental delays in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a new approach to serving special needs infants and toddlers.
- To emphasize the role of physicians in a community-wide care system.
- To shift success metrics from birth viability to educational and community readiness.
Main Methods:
- Focus on community-wide responses and early interventions.
- Physician involvement in coordinating care for at-risk children.
- Developing systems to prepare children for successful education and community participation.
Main Results:
- Successful interventions can lead to the community integration of most special needs children.
- A shift in focus towards long-term child development and educational success.
- Physicians are integral to the success of this care system.
Conclusions:
- Early intervention and community support are key for children with developmental delays.
- Physicians play a critical role in improving outcomes for handicapped infants and toddlers.
- The goal is to ensure children graduate prepared for full community membership.
Abstract:
The State of Florida and its physicians are moving into a wonderful time of opportunity to serve the special needs of infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays. If we meet our challenge we will no longer judge our success by a viable pregnancy or "graduation" from the nursery. We will begin to expect a community-wide response that prepares a child for education so successful that he or she will graduate prepared to work as a full member of the community. Not all our interventions will succeed at that level, but we have learned that good ones can place almost all our special needs children into the community. Physicians will have a major role in the success of this system of care for handicapped infants, toddlers and their families.