Assessments and Enrolments

Assessments and Enrolments – On-going Processes at KSMH

The Programme of Early Identification, Assessment and Management of Intellectual Disabilities

Early Identification

Children are born and go through developmental milestones in their early years. They cry, make sounds, crawl, walk, and begin to recognise things and people at certain ages. Many times the children do not follow the average rate of growth and development. One may find, for example, that a child is not able to sit properly when she/he should. When such circumstances arise, they are of great concern to parents. It would then be better to take that child immediately to the specialists to see that his/her basic functions are sound. These are early signs of what may turn out to be developmental and intellectual disabilities. Many of such disabilities can be identified at very early stages. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to take their child to specialists if they notice any problems of development of the child in the normal way. Help is available to the parents through KSMH for advice, information and specialised support.

Assessment

Once a child is suspected of having some difficulties in growth and development, the child has to go through a process that will determine the degree and type of developmental and/or intellectual disability. Early identification helps in preventing severe and profound disabilities that are more difficult to manage. The recognised way of identifying and assessing intellectual and developmental disabilities in a child must be multi-disciplinary and holistic in nature. That is why all key specialists must be involved in assessment, screening and diagnosis as follows:

Timely support services for affected parents and families
Assessment, Screening and Diagnosis using Standard Assessment tools and Specialised equipments
Neurologist services
Cinical Psychologist services
Psychiatrist services
Educational Psychologists
Speech, Occupational and Physio-therapists
Nutritionist services and Therapeutic drugs as needed
Professional counselling and empowerment services for the parents and families

Management

All of the above processes will culminate in a management plan for the child to be implemented by the parents with the support of specialists in the centre. This plan provides guidance to the parents on how to handle the child and meet the specific needs of the particular type of intellectual disability. The management plan will be reviewed every three months to see that it is effectively working for the child and suitable to parents and family. Special nutrition and prescribed therapeutic drugs will be provided by the programme.

Kabete Orthopeadic Workshops, Next to Kabete Army Barracks, Opp ABC Place, Waiyaki Way, Westlands. | +254 20 445 0853/4 Mobile: +254 729476101/736476101 | infor@ksmh.org