Early intervention

In partnerships with schools, maternities and authorities, four early intervention support centers were established to provide specific therapies for babies and small children born with sensory impairments.

The main accomplishments include:

• 234 children in 4 early intervention support centers
• 581 newborns screened for hearing impairments
• 049 children tested for visual impairments
• 424 parents and family members informed and counselled
• 25 specialists in education, health and social services trained and involved in the project.
• Curriculum for Early Intervention approved by the Romanian legislation
• SIR elaborated the Research Report on early intervention for children with multisensory impairments, 2007 – 2014, best practice model.

The early intervention services continue being delivered in all four centers. According to the specialists involved in this Programmes, there are currently 90 babies benefitting from therapies in Bucharest, Oradea, Timisoara and Iasi.

Newborn babies and small children with hearing and/or visual impairments benefit from diagnosis, rehabilitation and early intervention, with the support of multidisciplinary teams consisting of medical professionals, special education teachers, psychologists and parents. Services offered in the Early Intervention Support Centers include multisensory stimulation, functional visual training, perceptive-hearing education, speech therapy, physiotherapy, information, support and counselling for parents.