http://www.co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/PublicHealthServices/ChildrenwithSpecialHealthCareNeeds/EarlyInterventionProgram/tabid/3347/Default.aspx
The Early Intervention Program through the Sullivan County Public Health Services helps to screen for developmental delays in children ages newborn to 3 years old and get them early help. The program offers speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, case management, and special education. The referrals can come from just about anyone familiar with the child, and physicians can play an important role in making sure these children get help early. I think this program is very important in making sure that children of Sullivan County are able to get the necessary help early so that when school comes around they are not lagging behind, a hole that could be difficult to get out of. Additionally, the wide range of services can help with many different developmental disorders that may be encountered.
As a future practitioner, I believe my role is to help keep patients aware of the benefits of programs such as this one and the one in the paper in order to promote better health amongst them. The aim is to help prevent diseases and other ailments before they begin and a good way to do that is with good public health. Many of the ailments that are affecting the population today can help to be mitigated with more programs to stop them. The example in the paper of the program to lower heart disease is a good example. Simple things such as promoting a better diet and exercise can lower the incidence of heart disease.
Additionally, as a future practitioner I feel I have some role in helping to create such programs if I perceive a deficit in public health. This can be through things such as jogging groups with patients or on a larger scale by talking to public health officials about creating programs. Proper education about program availability and programs to reduce risk factors for poor health outcomes will undoubtedly benefit patients.
Hi Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. Sullivan county is providing a wonderful service to its youth when screening for developmental delays. I have read, that interventions beginning at ages of 2-3 have made vast differences in childhood devolpment, specifically in syndromes such as autism and aspergers. Thanks again for the informative post. - Katie
I am really glad to see that they have early intervention programs in other counties! I actually worked for one of these programs, specifically working with a 2 year old child who was affected by autism. At first I was a bit skeptical of how I could really help her because she was so young, but it was the most amazing experience! I worked with her for 12 weeks and the progress was incredible. This program not only taught me how impressionable and smart children are, but also how great an impact these programs can make on the children, their families, and their future. I agree with you in that interventional programs can make such an impact on the communities that we serve medically, and as future health care providers we should be more proactive in helping to set up similar programs!
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