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High-risk children referred to an early-intervention developmental program
L A Britain1, G E Holmes, R S Hassanein
1Infant Development Center, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Merriam, Kansas, USA.
Insights
Early intervention programs significantly benefit infants with developmental disabilities. This study shows improved developmental quotients (DQ) in children who participated for at least six months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Early-intervention programs for infants with developmental disabilities have existed in the US for over two decades.
- The benefits of these programs are widely acknowledged.
- This study examines data from 1975-1989.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the presenting problems of children referred to an early intervention program.
- To assess the developmental progress of children attending the program.
- To analyze admission trends and discuss the value of early intervention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 698 children referred to an early intervention program between 1975 and 1989.
- Categorization of children by medical condition groups, not specific diagnoses.
- Comparison of admission and discharge developmental quotients (DQ) for 464 children attending for at least six months.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of presenting problems in referred infants.
- Demonstrated developmental progress in children who received early intervention for a minimum of six months.
- Observed admission trends over the 15-year study period.
Conclusions:
- Early intervention programs are valuable for young children with developmental disabilities.
- The study supports the continued development and utilization of such programs.
- Further research into specific medical condition groups and intervention effectiveness is warranted.
Abstract:
Early-intervention programs for infants with developmental disabilities or with high-risk factors for such problems were first established in the United States more than 20 years ago. The benefits of such programs are generally recognized. This study describes the presenting problems of 698 children referred to an early-intervention program over a 15-year period (1975-1989). Medical condition groups rather than specific diagnoses are considered. The developmental progress of 464 children who attended the program for at least 6 months was determined by comparing their admission and discharge developmental quotients (DQ). Admission trends over time are noted and the value of intervention programs for young children with disabilities is discussed.