Gangnam-gu Operates Early Intervention Program for Developmentally Delayed Infants and Toddlers

Experts Conduct Screening and Developmental Tests, Then Provide Home Visit Treatment Solutions

Selected for Seoul City Public Contest, Securing 30 Million KRW

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seongmyeong) is launching the “Visiting Early Intervention Program for Developmentally Delayed Infants and Toddlers,” which has been selected for Seoul City’s “Walking Together with the Vulnerable” public contest, securing 30 million KRW in funding. Home visit assessments will begin in earnest from June.

This project conducts screening and developmental tests for families with infants and toddlers (0?72 months) in the district who are suspected of developmental delays. Experts then visit the homes of children requiring treatment to provide tailored therapy solutions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the wearing of masks in daily life has raised social concerns about delays in language development among infants and toddlers. Since brain development grows explosively during early childhood, early intervention and treatment are crucial when developmental delays occur. However, there are many difficulties in receiving assessments and treatment. Some guardians hesitate to visit medical institutions, and even those willing to visit often face waiting periods ranging from several months to one or two years before receiving actual tests. Private developmental centers also impose significant financial burdens.

The district conceived this project to improve accessibility to assessments and treatment and to reduce the financial burden on parents through a visiting home service. The project’s necessity was recognized in this year’s Seoul City “Walking Together with the Vulnerable” public contest, receiving a subsidy of 30 million KRW. An additional 30 million KRW from the district budget will be invested to carry out the project until November.

To this end, two experts in fields such as child play therapy have been selected.

Residents who need to apply for testing can inquire by phone at the Gangnam-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center. Depending on the developmental stage of the infant or toddler, those aged 0?36 months will receive the Infant Early Screening Test (DEP), which assesses motor skills, communication, and socio-emotional development. Those aged 37?72 months will undergo the Child Development Test (K-CDI), which includes social skills, language, and fine and gross motor skills, as well as temperament and personality tests (JTCI). If the test results indicate developmental delays, experts will visit the home to provide language and play therapy as well as caregiver coaching. If home visits are difficult, treatment and counseling can be provided at the Childcare Comprehensive Support Center.

Jo Seongmyeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “I hope that residents who had difficulty visiting medical institutions will be able to receive timely assessments and treatment for their children’s developmental stages through this project. We will continue to implement demand-tailored policies to ensure children grow up healthy.”