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Research indicates that we need to intervene early to make sure that our children get the best possible
start in life.
...babies are born with 25 per cent of their brains developed, and there is then a rapid period of development so that by
the age of 3 their brains are 80 per cent developed.
In that period, neglect, the wrong type of parenting and other adverse experiences can have a profound effect on how children
are emotionally 'wired'. This will deeply influence their future responses to events and their ability to empathise with other
people.
Allen, 2011
The importance of prevention
A plausible case can be made for the viability and potential effectiveness of primary and secondary prevention
of learning disabilities... The vast majority of the options for prevention involve altering the social and environmental
context in which children in the UK grow up. Some of these interventions are relevant to all children (eg reducing exposure
to child poverty and economic inequality). Some are more specific to children with learning disabilities and the families
who support them (eg early intervention for children with developmental delay, short breaks).
Emerson, 2011
The continuum of vulnerability (1)
...disability remains one of the most significant indicators of greater chances of living in poverty.
Field, 2010
The continuum of vulnerability
VULNERABILITY
Disadvantage
Depravation
Disability
(Carpenter, 2010)
The continuum of vulnerability (2)
...recent research in England has documented social gradients across the full range of severity of learning
disability...
When controlling for the effects of local authority, neighbourhood deprivation and pertinent child characteristics (age, gender,
ethnicity), children aged 7-15 in England growing up in households that are eligible for free school meals are...80% more
likely to be identified as having a Special Educational Need (at School Action Plus or above) associated with Profound Multiple
Learning Difficulty (PMLD).
Emerson, 2011
Effectiveness of family support
Family Support services proved the most useful aspect of Sure Start for families with children with more
complex needs. These services help families to cope in crises, obtain services and benefits, gain skills and confidence in
supporting their child's development and get some respite from their caring responsibilities. Home-visiting was particularly
important in reaching isolated and vulnerable families...
The availability of specialist health services like speech and language therapy and mental health outreach was significant
for these young children, enabling preventive work to occur, and developing parents' skills in promoting their child's development
and managing their behaviour.
Pinney, 2007
The impact of intervention (1)
Initial findings from...indicative studies suggest that early years interventions for disabled children can lead to:
Enhanced social and communication skills;
Greater inclusion and participation in mainstream settings;
Increased integration with the wider family;
Improved behaviour;
Enhanced cognitive development.
Martin et al, 2009
The impact of intervention (2)
Improvements in outcomes for the families of disabled children may also include:
Positive perceptions and attitudes concerning their child's disability and their parental situation;
Improved emotional wellbeing (including lower levels of parental stress, emotional distress, anxiety and depression),
and lower incidence of maternal mental health issues;
Better access to services.
Martin et al, 2009
The early years: a nurturing environment
In summary, the role that societies can play in early child development is to support initiatives that bring young children
into contact with environments that have the following six characteristics:
Exploration is encouraged;
Mentoring in basic skills is provided;
The child's developmental advances are celebrated;
Development of new skills is guided and extended;
There is protection from inappropriate disapproval, teasing, or punishment;
The language environment is rich and responsive.
(Ramey and Ramey, in Maggi, 2005)
What are the most effective intervention approaches?
Research the different early intervention approaches available to families of children with SLD/PMLD/CLDD and their effectiveness; for example:
EarlyBird (National Autistic Society);
Family Nurse Partnerships;
Incredible Years Programmes;
Portage;
Sure Start Children's Centres;
Team Around the Child.
What characteristics of these approaches might be applicable within your setting?
Odom, S.L. and Wolery, M. (2003) A unified theory of practice in early intervention/early childhood special education:
evidence-based practices, Journal of Special Education, 37, 164-173.
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