Early Intervention Programs for Special Needs Children

A child's brain is most influential in the first three years, making early intervention essential to their growth.

According to the CDC, early intervention programs refer to a set of services that is available to young children with special needs. Examples of early intervention programs include family training and counseling, speech and language pathology, physical therapy, and more. 

Research shows that a baby's brain is most influential in the first three years of life and hence, early intervention programs are essential for minimizing developmental delays in special needs children. Years of critical research support the fact that a child's earliest experiences can be a source of great improvement in their cognitive function. Yet still, access to early intervention programs is low in most countries in the world. 

Intervention plans in the first three years of a child's life can greatly increase the chances of appropriate diagnosis and can change the life of a special needs child. Additionally, intervention in the first three years of a child's life is likely to be more effective and also less costly in the long run. 

However, disparities in access are rampant as research indicates that children belonging to minority groups are 5 times less likely to receive early intervention services than other children. These gaps in access to EIPs exist across gender, class, and racial lines but the worst of the problem seems to exist in the developing world. 

In the United States, the grants for Infants and Families Program (Part C) awards formula grants to states so they can afford early intervention services. However, this is not the case in developing countries like Pakistan, where incorrect diagnosis, lack of parent education, and finances make it almost impossible for a special needs child to live a fulfilling life. 

To bridge this gap between the developing and developed world, it is crucial that organizations like UNICEF increase the support they offer to the Pakistani government. At the same time, efforts must be made to reduce the income/racial inequalities that exist within the United States.