Prevention of developmental disabilities: a model for organizing clinical activities

Prevention of developmental disabilities receives widespread support, however, a comprehensive approach involving federal and local governments, major professional groups, and the general public has yet to be defined and implemented. Three major issues appear to impede a coordinated approach: (a) prevention's image problem; (b) the complexity surrounding prevention efforts; and (c) the absence of consistent evaluation methods. The University of California, Irvine-University Affiliated Program has developed a model for prevention activities in response to these issues. This model is interdisciplinary, promotes reasoned cooperative efforts, and provides a basis for evaluation and research. This paradigm can be helpful to policy makers in prioritizing prevention activities. The model is composed of five major and functional approaches to prevention with a central core devoted to ethical considerations. The model emphasizes the variety, scope and interdisciplinary nature of prevention/intervention activities, as well as the necessity for a longitudinal approach.