Outreach and early intervention programme...

The object of the programme is to identify and provide ongoing support to disadvantaged disabled children living in the district of Moratuwa, south of Colombo. Research has shown that this is an area with a history of a higher than normal percentage of births resulting in complex disabilities. Our research also shows that this is a situation that is continuing to grow. New cases are identified on a regular basis. Early intervention is vital to encourage health, education and social development.

Each child on the programme receives regular home visits by our staff to monitor their condition and provide the necessary support and therapies. Records of each visit and support received are kept by our team.

The programme includes:

The Feeding Programme. Parents are taught how to cater for their child’s individual nutritional and feeding needs and to encourage independent oral feeding from an early age if this is appropriate.

Feeding is often a problem for parents with children with complex conditions such as Cerebral Palsy (CP). These children can present with difficulties controlling their arms, legs, trunk, head and neck. Their bodies can be too stiff or too floppy, leading to difficulties biting, chewing, swallowing and protecting their lungs. They are at risk of developing chest infections and can be malnourished and/or dehydrated if intervention is not received at the right time. At Meth Mihira we aim to provide early intervention, identifying the children, assessing their feeding needs, and providing support to establish good feeding skills. We also work closely with the family of the child educating them to manage their child at home. This involves providing good supportive seating, suitable utensils such as spoons and cups and advice on methods of feeding. One of the main issues with children with CP is that they can only eat a little at a time. It is our aim to make sure what they eat is high in calories. We therefore provide assistance in obtaining high caloric foods locally and provide nutritional supplements when necessary. Some of the children may not be able to take in all their meals from their mouth. They may need to have top-ups with a tube that goes in through their nose to the stomach (NG tube). Some others may need surgery to have a tube placed directly in to their stomach (G tube). If these are indicated we provide support to the families through hospital appointments and surgery, providing transport to and from appointments and hospital admissions. Families will receive ongoing assistance to manage oral and tube feeding. Children are weighed regularly and their progress is monitored.

Health and Medical Intervention
When a child requires medical or surgical treatment the family are supported through the process by our outreach team. When necessary a team member will assist in arranging appointments and accompany the parent and child to attend hospital and clinic appointments. The aim is to initially guide parents who have limited knowledge and those not familiar with the referral processes, ultimately giving them the confidence to manage their child’s medical and health appointments. Financial assistance is available for medical costs. This service is available for cost relating to prescription costs, disability equipment, hospital admissions and surgical procedures.

Physiotherapy
Children requiring physiotherapy receive sessions either in their homes or at the Meth Mihira centre. The key to progress and the prevention of early deteriation in the child’s condition is in educating the parents. Parents are taught the importance of physiotherapy and how to provide daily exercise. Regular visits by the outreach team provide support for the parents and enables progress to be monitored.

Multi Sensory
A multi sensory room has been installed this summer, following the completion of a building extension to the centre. The room provides sensory stimulation through lighting, sound and tactile therapies. Infants and children receive sessions in small groups of two or three depending on age and disabilities.

Dee’s Abled Children have put together this programme of support with the guidance of professional consultants, a senior speech and language therapist, a physiotherapist and experienced special needs teachers. We believe this programme of support will provide a better quality of life for infants and children with severe disabilities. It is the aim of the programme to support the family, providing training in the necessary therapies and to educate parents to be able to cater of their child’s needs effectively.