Open AccessSurviving and Thriving
Author(s) -
Cally J Tann,
Maya Kohli-Lynch,
Ruth Nalugya,
Samantha Sadoo,
Karen Martin,
Rachel Lassman,
Carol Nanyunja,
Margaret Musoke,
Margaret Sewagaba,
Margaret Nampijja,
Janet Seeley,
Emily L. Webb
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
infants and young children
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.413
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1550-5081
pISSN - 0896-3746
DOI - 10.1097/iyc.0000000000000182
Subject(s) - thriving , intervention (counseling) , early childhood , psychological intervention , psychology , quality of life (healthcare) , child development , developmental psychology , participatory action research , medicine , psychiatry , nursing , psychotherapist , economics , economic growth
Global attention on early child development, inclusive of those with disability, has the potential to translate into improved action for the millions of children with developmental disability living in low- and middle-income countries. Nurturing care is crucial for all children, arguably even more so for children with developmental disability. A high proportion of survivors of neonatal conditions such as prematurity and neonatal encephalopathy are affected by early child developmental disability. The first thousand days of life is a critical period for neuroplasticity and an important window of opportunity for interventions, which maximize developmental potential and other outcomes. Since 2010, our group has been examining predictors, outcomes, and experiences of neonatal encephalopathy in Uganda. The need for an early child intervention program to maximize participation and improve the quality of life for children and families became apparent. In response, the "ABAaNA early intervention program," (now re-branding as 'Baby Ubuntu') a group participatory early intervention program for young children with developmental disability and their families, was developed and piloted. Piloting has provided early evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and impact and a feasibility trial is underway. Future research aims to develop programmatic capacity across diverse settings and evaluate its impact at scale.