Over 10,000 children along with their families in the Sverdlovsk region obtained early assistance through intervention services
Improving Lives of Children with Disabilities: Early Intervention Services in the Sverdlovsk Region
The Sverdlovsk region, home to Yekaterinburg, has been developing a comprehensive rehabilitation and habilitation system for over eight years, with a focus on preventing childhood disability. Andrei Zlokaev, Minister of Social Policy of the Sverdlovsk region, has highlighted the importance of early intervention services in this endeavour.
These services are designed for children aged 0 to 3 who have health limitations, including disabilities or are at risk of developing limitations. They also cater to children aged 4 to 17 who have been newly classified as "children with disabilities." Approximately 120 services are available to children and their parents through this project.
The services offered include developmental screenings, therapy (speech, physical, occupational), psychological support, and family counseling. These are provided by a network of organisations, including government institutions, specialized medical and psychological centres, educational organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and rehabilitation centres.
Government institutions, such as regional health departments, education departments, and social services, typically coordinate and provide funding for these services. Specialized medical and psychological centres offer diagnostics and therapies, while educational organisations, like kindergartens and schools with special education capabilities, provide a supportive learning environment. NGOs offer support services, advocacy, and family assistance, and rehabilitation centres provide physical and occupational therapy.
In the Sverdlovsk region, early intervention services are operated by 52 organisations. Forty-three early intervention services operate in educational institutions in the region, and nine early intervention services operate in state medical organisations within a three-tiered pediatric care system in the region.
A network of points for renting assistive devices has been established in the region, with 64 points and a total rental fund of over 26,000 units. Free access to necessary devices is provided to individuals with disabilities, those recovering from injuries, surgeries, or illnesses.
The system promotes the physical and mental development of children, their social adaptation, and enhances parental competence when a child requires special home care. Since 2019, over 10,000 children and their families have received these services, according to the regional Department of Information Policy.
For detailed, updated data specific to the Sverdlovsk region, contacting regional health or social service authorities or reviewing specialized reports published by Russian government or research institutions would be advisable. The comprehensive rehabilitation and habilitation system in the Sverdlovsk region is a significant step towards improving the lives of children with disabilities and ensuring their successful integration into society.
The comprehensive rehabilitation and habilitation system in the Sverdlovsk region, focusing on early intervention services, is significantly advancing science in health-and-wellness for children with disabilities. These services, encompassing developmental screenings, various therapies, psychological support, family counseling, and more, are fostering physical and mental development, social adaptation, and parental competence.
