EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF EARLY MULTIDISCIPLINARY INTERVENTION IN CHILDREN WITH NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Neurodevelopmental disorders, early intervention, multidisciplinary, CARS2, Conners-3.
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and global developmental delay affect the cognitive, social and behavioural functioning in children to a significant extent. Multidisciplinary interventions, as early as possible, are paramount to maximising outcomes, but their effectiveness in the real world still needs to be confirmed.
Objective: Multidisciplinary interventions have been shown to have functional benefits in children with NDDs. This study assessed the results of a six-month multidisciplinary intervention, comparing baseline, 3-month, and 6-month outcomes, as well as the main contributions of therapy.
Materials and Methods: The study children were recruited from a prospective longitudinal cohort sample of 50 children aged 2-6 years who attended an early intervention and pediatric developmental centre between July, 2024 and December, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The range of interventions provided every week was Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Behavioural Therapy. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, CARS2 and Conners-3 measures were evaluated to assess outcomes, which were analysed using Repeated Measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, and Pearson correlations.
Results: A considerable lowering of CARS2 (F (2,98) =319.97, p<0.001) and Conners-3 scores (F (2,98)=214.63, p<0.001) was noted, and the steepest declines were in reports recorded during the first 3 months.
Conclusion: Early multidisciplinary intervention has a significant benefit in terms of NDD outcome, which justifies its use in clinical practice.
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Dr Sundus Fatima
1MBBS, FCPS Psychiatry, Specialist Psychiatrist and Head of Department, Berlin Medical and Neurological Rehabilitation, Abudhabi, UAE
Dr Farinaz Aghajannashtaei
Specialist Psychiatry, Berlin Medical and Neurological Rehabilitation, Abudhabi, UAE
Dr Asad Minhas
MBBS FCPS MRCP Psychiatry, Locum Consultant Psychiatrist, Swansea Bay University Health Board UK
Dr Fatima Assad
MS Behavioral Science, MSc Clinical Psychology, Clinical Psychologist, HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences Taxila, Pakistan
Dr Muhammad Arshad Malik
MBBS, Postgraduate Trainee Haematology, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Dr Abdul Ghafoor
MBBS, MCPS Psychiatry, Consultant Psychiatrist, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Pakistan