This category focuses on family-centred early intervention approaches designed to promote language and communication development during early infancy. It includes research on intervention packages for infants, particularly those at risk of developmental delays, emphasising caregiver involvement, responsive communication strategies, and the early identification and support of language development within the family and home environment. 

Communication interventions for high-risk infants: professionals’ perspectives on establishing services in Sri Lanka

This qualitative study explored Sri Lankan healthcare and education professionals’ perspectives on implementing family-centred early intervention for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, using the ICF framework. Findings highlighted the growing potential for family-centred approaches in Sri Lanka, while identifying key facilitators such as professional knowledge and access to information, alongside challenges including limited resources, socioeconomic barriers, and difficulties in applying the ICF model in practice. The study emphasises the importance of culturally sensitive strategies to strengthen early intervention services and promote child participation and development.

This research was undertaken by Prof. Samanmali Sumanasena as a PhD project supervision of Dr. L.D.Y.S.K Weerasinghe, a working speech and language therapist, who attends Lady Ridgway Hospital Colombo. 

Link to the publication: https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e003914 

Contributing Authors: Dr. L.D.Y. S.K. Weerasinghe, Prof. Samanmali P Sumanasena