Initial assessment
After the family contacts DECDC requesting services, the service coordinator meets with the parents/guardians and the child. In this meeting, s/he conducts an initial assessment composed of four components: an initial intake outlining the case history (psychosocial, medical, and developmental), a family assessment generating the family’s concerns, priorities and resources, a developmental screening producing an initial child’s profile in terms of strengths and needs, and an environmental assessment. This service is provided in the child’s natural environment (home or/and school based) and/or on DECDC premises.
Programmatic assessment
A team of therapists will conduct a comprehensive assessment that details the child’s skills profile (strengths and needs) across all developmental areas (fine motor, gross motor, self-care, communication/language, cognitive and social-emotional) and that leads to the development of an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) and/or an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). This service is provided in child’s natural environment (home and school based) and in some cases on DECDC premises.
Diagnostic assessment
The diagnostic assessment is a norm-referenced measurement tool that compares the child’s performance to a representative group of same age peers to assess the nature and the severity of suspected delays in development.
Intervention
The assigned therapist(s) provide interventions according to the child’s goals as outlined in the service plan (IFSP/IEP). The intervention sessions occur in the child’s natural environment (home and school based) and in some cases on DECDC premises.
Service coordination
Service coordination consists of the designation of a professional to each family and child that would be the family focal contact person accompanying them throughout their journey at DECDC. This person is known as the Service Coordinator. The service coordinator helps families find and receive appropriate services through DECDC or by referring them to others community services in order to meet developmental, educational, psychological, social, financial, and other needs related to the child and/or the family. The Service Coordinator will work with internal and external service providers to make sure services are provided as needed.
Community developmental screening
DECDC professionals conduct developmental screening tests in nurseries, preschools, schools and primary health care centers. The purpose is to identify children at risk for developmental delays. The purpose of this service is to reach out to the community and find children who might benefit from early detection services before their condition becomes more complicated.
Clinical In-house Intervention Services
Each professional provides specific intervention services related to his/her area of expertise at DECDC premises due to the following conditions:
· Need for specific intervention equipments (e.g. sophisticated physical therapy equipments)
· Need for controlled and structured environment (e.g. Snoezlen/sensory room to address sensory integration difficulties)
· Family’s request for clinical-based services
Training Services
Family training
Specialists will provide training sessions to the family. The purpose of these sessions is to provide the family with technical information related to the condition and care of their children. Also, family receives information regarding positive approaches to child rearing practices and how to handle difficult behavior.
Community training
Specialists provide technical training in different areas of expertise to service providers, professionals, agencies and educational institutions in the community through workshops, seminars, presentations, and lectures.
Resource room
It is a source for providing printed, audio-visual, on-line information for families of children typically developing or with special needs, for community services providers, students and researchers. This resource room is located in the DECDC premises. It is designed to be a lead and a center for information and knowledge provision to Dubai community in the field of early childhood development, disability and early intervention.
Resource room
It is a source for providing printed, audio-visual, online information for families of children typically developing or with special needs, for community service providers, students and researchers. This resource room is located at the DECDC premises. It is designed to be a lead and a center for information and knowledge provision to the Dubai Community in the field of early childhood development, disability and early intervention.
Counseling Services
The service coordinator or the psychologist trained in counseling supports the family by providing guidance, advice, direction and referral. This service is provided in the family’s home or at DECDC premises.
Consultancy Services
External experts provide professional individualized advice to parents in a particular field (e.g. lactation and breast feeding, nutrition, medical procedures). The consultancy is provided to families served by DECDC based on specific needs that cannot be provided internally. The consultant will see the cases and make recommendations and our staff at DECDC will do the follow up.