There are over 24,000 children with developmental disabilities in Croatia under the age of five and they need early intervention, but many are left without it due to the family's fear of stigmatisation, poverty or living in rural areas where these services are far from home.
It is crucial that these children have professional support from the earliest age because it gives them an opportunity to develop their full potential and become active members of society, it was said at UNICEF Croatia on Tuesday at the presentation of an analysis on early intervention services in Croatia.
The analysis was conducted by the US RISE institute with the Croatian Health Ministry’s support.
The findings show that one in eight of the 24,169 children with developmental disabilities up to five years of age are potential recipients of early intervention services.
There are 47 early intervention programmes which are used by 2,914 children. Ten percent of their families live in rural areas and for 85% of them these services are too far from home.
45% of families not in early intervention programmes due to stigma
As many as 45% of families do not take part in early intervention programmes due to the stigma attached to disabilities, while 15-25% of the families in the programmes live in poverty.
Early intervention commission and national plan
Aware of the need for an interdisciplinary approach and finding a systematic solution, the government has established a commission for early intervention in childhood and a task force to draw up a national strategic plan for the development of early intervention in childhood.
Regina M. Castillo, the head of UNICEF Croatia, warned about the geographic inequality in accessing programmes as well as the need to expand services.
Anka Slonjsak, the ombudsperson for persons with disabilities, said the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child underlined the right of a child with disabilities to early support.
She warned of the worrying number of children who will not develop their own potential due to the lack of services. She said the analysis would help the government and the early intervention commission in adopting a national strategic plan as well as drawing up an early intervention action plan.
Early intervention to be available nationally in 5 to 7 years
Health Minister Vili Beros said he was confident that early intervention services could be available closer to homes across Croatia in five to seven years.
Children’s Ombudsman Helenca Pirnat Dragicevic said it was necessary to invest additional effort in the development of programmes adjusted to children’s needs, age and living conditions.
“That’s why early intervention services should be seen as high priority services with the aim of developing coordinated and multi-sector strategies based on children’s rights,” she added.
