Over 10k children benefited from early intervention for dvpt challenges
Arpita Srivastava
Mapusa: The District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) at the North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa, is set to complete 10 years of service offering screening, assessment, and therapeutic interventions for children aged 0 to 18 years with developmental and behavioural difficulties.
Since its establishment in 2015, the centre has impacted the lives of over 10,000 children, and continues to expand its services and outreach.
Established under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, the DEIC works towards improving the quality of life through early detection and intervention. It addresses a range of issues including gross motor delays, behavioural challenges, and adolescent concerns, catering to both neurotypical and neurodiverse children.
Senior paediatrician and DEIC Nodal Officer, Dr. Vibha Parsekar said the centre initially saw limited referrals. “Along with the rise in referrals, the team has expanded, and services like disability certification have also been introduced,” she said.
Explaining the screening process, Dr. Parsekar said, “Mobile health teams visit anganwadis and schools. They use a standard checklist to screen children. Any child found not meeting developmental norms is referred to us.”
She said the early years are particularly important, especially the 18-month mark, in identifying signs of conditions like autism. “Since children routinely visit doctors for vaccinations, it is a crucial window for screening and early intervention,” she said.
However, Dr. Parsekar acknowledged the challenge of low acceptance among some parents. “Some parents do not follow up. But Goa has a strong network with seven developmental paediatricians, NGOs, and good public awareness. We’re now getting cases as early as 11 months, particularly for speech delays,” she said.
Looking ahead, DEIC is working on launching a parent support group. “Experienced parents whose children have undergone therapy at DEIC will support new parents navigating the system,” Dr. Parsekar said.
Joanne D’Souza, physiotherapist at DEIC, said it is important to observe early motor milestones. “Red flags include not holding hands by 3 months, not rolling over by 4 months, or not sitting without support by 6 months. Delays should prompt immediate consultation—don’t wait until the child turns one,” she said.
Dr. Parsekar also said that learning disabilities can often be identified by Class 3 or 4, making pre-primary and primary teachers vital in detection. “We conduct training for teachers in collaboration with the Education Department,” she said. She cited a success story of a child who entered DEIC at age five and, after intervention, no longer required certification by age eight and is now thriving in a regular school.
Heena Sayed, psychologist at DEIC, spoke about other support initiatives. “We conduct the WHO caregiver skills training for parents twice a year, and also run an Autism-specific intervention program,” she said.
She added that DEIC now provides disability certification for children aged 0 to 18 years for various conditions such as physical disability, intellectual disability, autism, and multiple disabilities. “Previously, such certifications were only done at IPHB, Bambolim. Now both DEIC centres in North and South Goa are authorised,” she added.
