Page 3 - LESSION 22.pmd

Early Identification and Intervention

children. For example, conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD)
are difficult to identify and diagnose since many of these children are initially Notes
assumed to be ‘difficult’ or ‘temperamental’.
Mental and psychological conditions: Delayed mental development and mental
retardation can be listed as intellectual disorders in children while conditions
such as anxiety, chronic depression and mood swings can be classified as
psychological disorders. While children with intellectual disorders have early
symptoms that can be diagnosed easily, psychological disorders take longer to
be detected.
Medical conditions: This bracket includes children suffering from weakening
chronic conditions such as heart disease, muscular dystrophy, cancer, cerebral
palsy, etc. These children may suffer from long periods of extremely poor health,
interspersed with numerous tests, hospital stays and prolonged medication. This
negatively impacts a normal childhood.

While each one of these conditions is different from the other, the similarity is in
the need for identifying, diagnosing and treating the condition coupled with the
need to find the right kind of support, schooling and home environment.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.1

Fill in the blanks.

(a) _____________ can be defined as any limitation or restriction to perform
developmentally appropriate activities.

(b) Sensory impairment implies impairment of ____________.

(c) Children with _________________ may experience difficulty in responding
to the regular forms of care and discipline.

(d) _______________ refers to an impairment of cognitive abilities that
manifests as a certain type of learning-related disability.

22.2 MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF EARLY
IDENTIFICATION
Early Identification refers to the process of recognizing any disability or
developmental variations in early childhood years and to understand the need
of early intervention. Early identification of learning difficulty or any related
developmental delays can make a huge and a positive difference in the life of
children and their families. Early identification can significantly minimize the
social, behavioral, or learning difficulties the child experiences.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 221