The Zayed Authority for People of Determination establishes its early intervention system

The Zayed Authority for People of Determination continues to establish an integrated system for early intervention, based on its belief that the first years of a child’s life represent the most influential stage in building developmental capabilities and enhancing opportunities for independence and community integration.

The Authority currently provides its services to 399 children from birth to the age of six through its centers spread across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as part of a vision aimed at empowering children of determination and their families.

The early intervention service is one of the basic pillars of the system of services provided by the Authority, as it is based on early detection and diagnosis of cases and the provision of specialized programs based on scientific foundations and international professional standards, and designed according to the individual needs of each child, including motor, cognitive, linguistic, emotional and social aspects, which contributes to reducing the effects of disability, improving the quality of life of the child and his family, and preparing him for successful educational and societal paths.

The Authority adopts a comprehensive approach based on effective partnership with the family as a key element in the success of rehabilitation programs, by empowering parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in implementing individual plans at home, thus enhancing the continuity of the therapeutic and rehabilitative impact outside specialized centers.

The service keeps pace with the latest international practices in the fields of special education and rehabilitation by employing advanced training programs and tools and providing stimulating educational and therapeutic environments that contribute to developing children’s skills and enhancing their readiness to move to subsequent educational stages in accordance with the principle of smooth transition that supports their abilities and potential.

The child’s journey in the early intervention service passes through several integrated stages, starting with reception, registration, opening the file, and collecting health, developmental, and social information, then conducting a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment and diagnosis to determine the level of growth, strengths, and areas of need, followed by preparing an individual plan for early intervention that includes short- and long-term goals and implementation and follow-up mechanisms.

The stages also include implementing therapeutic and educational programs individually or collectively according to the child’s needs, and involving the family in implementing the plan, in addition to periodic monitoring and evaluation and updating the programs according to the results achieved, leading to preparing the child to move to the appropriate educational stages or integration programs.

The Authority offers an integrated package of specialized programs that include early developmental intervention to develop motor, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional skills, and therapeutic intervention that includes physical and occupational therapy, speech and speech therapy, in addition to behavioral intervention aimed at modifying behavior, enhancing social interaction, independence, and regulating emotions.

The programs also include early educational intervention through pre-academic and school readiness programs, family and counseling intervention that provides individual and group awareness and guidance to families, as well as supportive recreational intervention through musical, movement and artistic activities that enhance motivation and social interaction.

Early intervention services are distributed among the Authority’s various centres, benefiting 136 children at the Abu Dhabi Center for Care and Rehabilitation, 96 children at the Abu Dhabi Autism Centre, 58 children at Al Ain Center for Care and Rehabilitation, 51 children at Al Ain Autism Centre, 30 children at Madinat Zayed Center for Care and Rehabilitation, 18 children at Ghayathi Center for Care and Rehabilitation, and three children each in Al Waqan and Al Qoua Centers for Care and Rehabilitation. There are two children in the Al Mirfa Center for Care and Rehabilitation, while the Al Sila and Dalma Centers for Care and Rehabilitation each provide service to one child, which reflects the breadth of the scope of services and their reach to various regions of the emirate.

Head of the Early Intervention Department at the Abu Dhabi Center for Care and Rehabilitation, Salama Osheir Al Mazrouei, confirmed that the Authority develops an individual plan for each child in coordination with his family, which represents an essential partner in the rehabilitation journey, noting that the development of goals will continue to be monitored until basic skills are acquired, and she stressed the importance of not postponing seeking assistance because early intervention has a significant impact in enhancing opportunities for development and success.

For her part, a principal social specialist in the department, Ahlam Ali Muhammad bin Ghafan, explained that the authority coordinates with parents to create the appropriate environment for the child and organize the services he needs, in addition to implementing awareness and rehabilitation programs for mothers and supporting children through summer programs and events designated for people of determination.

Amina Al-Yafei, Head of the Health Care Department at the Authority’s Health Care Department, indicated that physical, occupational and speech therapy services are provided, in addition to sensory environments designed to stimulate the five senses under the supervision of cadres specialized in early intervention.

In turn, speech therapist Halima Ali Al-Dhanhani stressed the importance of this age stage in acquiring language, communication skills and expression through play and exploration and in partnership with the family to achieve the goals of the treatment plan.

The mother of the child, Misk Muhammad Al-Kasbi, who suffers from Down Syndrome, and the mother of the child, Sanad Ibrahim Al-Hosani, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation, expressed their appreciation for the services that contributed to developing their children’s skills and enhancing their ability to express their needs and integrate into social life. They appreciated the family support programs and the professional diploma designated for parents of people of determination, in addition to awareness workshops and continuous coordination to follow up on children during the summer vacation.