Early intervention program (EIP)--the Indian experiences.

Abstract

The Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu recognized that services were lacking for follow-up and intervention therapy for survivors of neonatal intensive care units and their families. Accordingly the society launched a program of hospital-based services in the city of Madras India for high risk neonates known as Developmental Tracking Clinics. Launched in August 1990 the program provides detailed neuro-behavioral assessment and therapy apart from parent training. The clinics have been operating from six government hospitals and one private hospital for children and are geographically located to optimize their use by a cross-section of urban and peri-urban dwellers. A program in Bangalore is based upon the assumption that an infant is not a passive recipient of information but an active participant in interactions who is responsive to early stimulation. It is also assumed that development especially intellectual development is also subject to environmental influences. Findings are reported from a study of infants with developmental disabilities in the early intervention program using Vojtas method for motor development and the Upanayan program for mental development. Core services were comprised of home-based therapy with parental involvement; reassessment at the end of one year found maternal participation to be the most important criteria for improvement. In Thiruvananthapuram babies at increased risk for developmental delay are referred to the high-risk baby clinic at S.A.T. Hospital. Findings are reported from a study conducted to gain experience with the follow-up of babies at high risk of developmental delay and to study the maternal social and community factors which contribute to the optimal development of these babies. Some findings are that birth asphyxia is the most common risk factor smoking is the major behavioral and environmental risk which can negatively affect a developing fetus maternal risk and selected socioeconomic factors affect the baby type of family and type of residence influence child development and sociological and biological factors can interact to make a child doubly vulnerable for normal development.