Yangcheon-gu, First Local Government Nationwide to Conduct Early Developmental Screening for Infants and Toddlers at Risk of Disability

Free Early Developmental Screening for All Infants and Toddlers Aged 0-3... Operated by Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center, Applications Accepted from Families or Daycare Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) is promoting the "Early Developmental Screening for Infants and Toddlers at Risk of Disability" project to detect infants and toddlers at risk of disability early and provide systematic support services.

The target group includes 8,783 infants and toddlers aged 0 to 3 years registered as residents and living in Yangcheon-gu. This is the first initiative among local governments nationwide to include not only infants and toddlers enrolled in daycare centers but also all infants and toddlers in home care within the region.

This project is operated by outsourcing to Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center, and the screening is free of charge.

The screening is conducted by subdividing the test items according to the age group of the infants and toddlers. ▲For infants and toddlers aged 0 to 2 years, a mobile survey focusing on basic items in each developmental area appropriate for their growth stage is conducted. ▲For those aged 2 to 3 years, mobile or home-visit surveys are conducted using two types of questionnaires, K-CDI (Child Development Inventory) and K-TABS (Temperament and Atypical Behavior Scale), based on 350 detailed items.

The screening method involves the primary caregiver or daycare teacher completing the screening questionnaire (mobile or paper form) based on the developmental screening items.

Infants and toddlers (0 to 2 years) identified as at risk of disability based on the screening results will be referred to experts for parental counseling. In particular, children aged 2 to 3 years who show high-risk signs will be immediately connected with institutions providing customized treatment programs by type, ensuring timely necessary measures.

The application period is from August 5 to September 30, and applications can be submitted by phone, mobile, or QR code to Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center from each household or daycare center where the child is enrolled.

For detailed inquiries about the early developmental screening for infants and toddlers, please contact Yangcheon Haenuri Welfare Center.

Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “Early detection of developmental disabilities in infants and toddlers and securing the golden time is of utmost importance. Through this project, we will provide unwavering support to early detect children at risk of disability in the district and offer customized treatment services so that our children can grow into healthy members of society.”