CHAPTER 1: Early Intervention Programs in the Southern African Region

Over 50 years of research on children with many types of disabilities receiving a range of specialized services in many different settings has produced overwhelming evidence that early intervention works. This body of research has established that early intervention can ameliorate, and in some cases, prevent developmental problems; result in fewer children being retained in later grades; reduce educational costs to school programs; and improve the quality of parent, child, and family relationships. Much of the evidentiary support for early intervention effectiveness is drawn from this diverse historical base of information. The involvement of parents in reinforcing critical skills in natural contexts has also been established as an important factor associated with the magnitude of the child’s progress.