Identification of children with developmental disabilities through a team-based approach
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Date
2011
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Publisher
Ohio State University. Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, legislative initiatives within the United States have improved access to early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities and their families. The goal of early intervention is to minimize the impact of the child’s disability, and provide the appropriate community supports to allow each individual to reach their maximum developmental potential. The current early intervention model advocates for a team based approach to the assessment and management of developmental disabilities, with parents as active members of the team. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teams are an effective way to deliver services to the child and their family. It is beneficial for each professional to be familiar with child development and the expertise of other team members in order to identify potential risk factors in their patients, which can lead to appropriate and timely referrals to other health care providers.