Children at risk of developing limitations in their development or independent functioning must be referred for occupational therapy without any delay. The concept of 'early intervention', in which occupational therapy can play a major role, ensures that the families of young children of ages 0-4 are supported from the earliest time possible, for improvement of their children's developmental skills and functional abilities. It also increases the family's awareness of the nature of the developmental delay or disability of the child, and minimises the need for future therapy and special education.
This was the key recommendation at the certificate distribution ceremony following a course for occupational therapists at Aga Khan University (AKU) on July 19, 2003. The course "Early Intervention" was conducted by Dutch occupational therapists, Karin Murk, Senior Occupational Therapist, working in private practice in the Netherlands, and Debbie Kramer-Roy, Senior Instructor/Occupational Therapist, at the Department of Paediatrics of AKU. The course was organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Occupational Therapy Association and the Department of Paediatrics of AKU, and was attended by 17 occupational therapists from Karachi.
Occupational therapy is the therapeutic use of self-care, work and play activities to increase independent function, enhance development and prevent disability. It may include the adaptation of the task or environment to achieve maximum independence and/or to enhance the quality of life. Children with a wide range of medical diagnoses greatly benefit from occupational therapy. This may range from generalised developmental delay to cerebral palsy and hereditary disorders. It may also range in severity from handwriting difficulties to severe physical disabilities. Occupational therapy assessment, intervention and advice tend to focus on promotion of early development of movement, cognitive, social and emotional skills, and on dealing with sensory problems, such as those of hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting or smelling.
It therefore becomes important to refer children to an occupational therapist, as soon as it is evident that they have or are at risk of developing limitations in their development or independent functioning. Children can be referred from birth or at any later stage at which their problems are identified. Speakers suggested that such professionals as paediatricians, social workers, special educators, physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists, should be involved in early intervention services. Participants were offered theory input, discussions and practical hands-on sessions, as a challenge to think and reason for themselves. Young children also joined various sessions to enable the participants to apply their learning during the course.
