Seocho Child Development Center Helps Early Detection of Disabilities

Early Detection Agency for Disabilities Secures Golden Time with Early Disability Detection, Opened in 2021 as the First Nationwide Local Government Facility, Providing 4,990 Services to 450 People... Encouraging Not Only Children but Also Families to Become Supporters and Caregivers by Teaching Parental Roles

"I was worried because our child was a bit slower than peers, but using the 'Seocho Child Development Center' gave me strength. Especially, while hospitals focus on the child's shortcomings, the center highlighted what the child is doing well and can do well, and also informed us about the family's role, which was really helpful."

This is the impression of a mother whose child entered kindergarten after receiving language development and parenting coaching services from the 'Seocho Child Development Center' between 2021 and 2023.

The 'Seocho Child Development Center' in Seocho-gu, Seoul, is a dedicated early detection institution for disabilities that supports healthy growth of infants and toddlers by identifying disabilities early and securing the golden time for treatment. It opened in October 2021 as the first of its kind among local governments nationwide and has received great response, providing a total of 4,990 services to 450 individuals so far.

The center employs special education teachers, physical therapists, speech therapists, and other professionals with rich knowledge and experience to assess the developmental delay status of children and provide comprehensive and systematic services from intake, evaluation, service provision, to linkage with community programs.

In addition, through parent empowerment education, the center informs families of children with developmental delays about their roles and the mindset parents should have, helping parents become strong supporters and good therapists for their children.

The most distinctive feature is that, unlike other institutions, children do not visit the center; instead, experts from various fields visit the home directly to conduct education. Parents do not need to travel around for their child's treatment, and children receive therapy from experts in a familiar environment with their family, providing a win-win effect for developmental delay recovery.

A mother who received educational services for a developmentally delayed child aged 4 to 36 months said, "After using the 'Seocho Child Development Center' for 33 months, I experienced positive changes. The important thing is the role of the parent, so I also tried to become a good therapist for my child."

This year, the center plans to activate a community among families raising children with developmental delays to share the children's developmental progress and create a sense of empathy.

Along with this, the family-centered healing camp will be expanded from once a year to twice a year, providing opportunities to strengthen family harmony.

Additionally, the center plans to create a more thorough system by linking with infant and toddler development specialized institutions such as public health centers, daycare centers, and pediatric clinics to ensure that no child with an undetected disability is left unattended.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, stated, "'Seocho Child Development Center' is hoped to be a foundation supporting the healthy growth of infants and toddlers and the stable lives of families," and added, "Seocho-gu will continue to spare no active and sustained interest and effort."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.