Hong-Yin Guo, Administration, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine

Yu-Ching Lin, Director, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine

National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) provides comprehensive early intervention services for preschool children suspected of or diagnosed with developmental delays, and support for their families. These services aim to identify and confirm developmental issues early through systematic outpatient screenings and joint assessments. Below are the key features of our services:
Smart Healthcare Application: Healthcare professionals at NCKUH can securely access a digital platform to view assessment results from physicians and therapists. This enables the development of individualized intervention goals for each child, along with detailed assessment reports and treatment recommendations to guide subsequent interventions and placements. Additionally, the platform provides relevant educational and social welfare information for families.
Service Process and Key Features:
1.    Comprehensive Screening: Outpatient departments, including rehabilitation and pediatrics,  actively screen children to detect potential developmental delays as early as possible.
2.    Interdisciplinary Joint Assessment: A multidisciplinary team, including rehabilitation physicians, pediatricians, and specialized therapists, conducts regular joint assessments for children with developmental delays. These assessments cover various aspects such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language development, and cognitive function.
3.    Integrated Services: By coordinating healthcare, education support, and social welfare, we develop individualized care plans and rehabilitation goals to facilitate children's physical and mental development, reducing the risk of future functional impairments.
4.    Family Support: We provide families tailored support, enhance parenting skills, and actively encourage parental involvement in the intervention process.
Additionally, NCKUH organizes annual mobile early intervention and community outreach assessment services to support children and families requiring consultations or developmental evaluations.
These holistic early intervention services focus not only on preschool children with developmental delays but also on the crucial role of family involvement. Our ultimate goal is to maximize therapeutic effectiveness and proactively address potential challenges children and families may face.

Figure 1. Early Intervention Assessment and Treatment