Integrated Healthcare for Children with Developmental Disabilities

Support children with developmental disabilities to reach their potential

Despite their greater needs, children with developmental disabilities and their families often face barriers to healthcare access. Children with developmental disabilities must have access to high quality and appropriate healthcare, so they can realise their full potential and participate in their community.

This three-week course is designed to enhance your knowledge of children with developmental disabilities and help you to improve healthcare provision for a vulnerable group, by working in partnership with families and other essential services, such as education or social care providers.

The course is designed for healthcare professionals who may provide care for children with developmental disabilities, or other groups interested in the healthcare needs of these children. The course will be of particular benefit to:

• Clinicians (e.g. nurses, doctors, allied professionals), community health workers, healthcare managers and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) staff who provide treatment and care for children with developmental disabilities

• Other clinicians, professionals, researchers and students with an interest in healthcare services for children with developmental disabilities

• Teachers and other educators who want to learn about the health of children with developmental disabilities and their right to education, inclusion and social protection

• Trainers in academic institutions who are aiming to develop a practical course for healthcare providers in their setting

• Parents and relatives of a child with a developmental disability, who may be looking to learn more about a child’s healthcare needs

• Adults with a developmental disability, who may want to understand more about their own health and healthcare services

The course focuses on issues relevant to both high income and low- and middle-income countries and information can be adapted to your personal setting. Course materials will draw on examples from a variety of contexts, including Brazil, UK, India, and Zambia.

We look forward to welcoming learners from across the globe. Our aim is to develop a multidisciplinary network of learners, with a diverse range of experience, from which we all can learn.

• What are developmental disabilities and why do they matter?
• Introduction
• Child development
• Developmental disability
• Why does developmental disability matter?
• Comprehensive healthcare for children with developmental disabilities
• Diagnosis of developmental disabilities and the importance of early intervention
• Healthcare needs of children with developmental disabilities
• Challenges to accessing healthcare services for children with developmental disabilities and their families
• Communicating effectively with children and their families
• The broader needs of children with developmental disabilities and their families
• Supporting parents and carers of children with developmental disabilities
• Broader needs and rights of children with developmental disabilities
• Addressing the broad range of needs of children with developmental disabilities
• What have we learned and next steps