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Worldwide, approximately 1 in 6 children have a developmental disability, resulting from a range of impairments across intellectual, sensory, motor and social functioning.

These children often have a broad array of additional health, education and social care needs compared to their peers without a disability. High-quality healthcare is necessary for children with developmental disabilities to realise their full potential and participate in their community on an equal basis to others. Unfortunately, these children and their families often face barriers to healthcare access. Working with healthcare providers to build their knowledge, understanding and skill will help them to meet a range of complex needs. Healthcare professionals can also help to provide linkages to other essential services, such as education or social care providers, to further support children with developmental disabilities and their families.

This free online course is designed to enhance your knowledge of children with developmental disabilities and the successful provision of integrated healthcare for this group. The course will give you the opportunity to network with professionals from across the world and create a global community of learning and practice. 

What topics will you cover?

Through a range of articles, interviews, videos, animations, case studies and presentations, we will cover:

• Developmental disabilities and their effect on child development and functioning
• The importance of early diagnosis and intervention
• How to improve health and healthcare access for children with developmental disabilities
• How to achieve equal partnership and effective communication in healthcare settings
• The importance of family-centred care
• The broader needs of children with developmental disabilities, including social inclusion and education
• How to establish intersectoral collaboration with other key service providers

Who is the course for?

The course is designed for healthcare professionals who may provide care for children with developmental disabilities, or other groups interested in the healthcare needs of these children. The course will be of particular benefit to:

• Clinicians (e.g. nurses, doctors, allied professionals), community health workers, healthcare managers and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) staff who provide treatment and care for children with developmental disabilities
• Other clinicians, professionals, researchers and students with an interest in healthcare services for children with developmental disabilities
• Teachers and other educators who want to learn about the health of children with developmental disabilities and their right to education, inclusion and social protection
• Trainers in academic institutions who are aiming to develop a practical course for healthcare providers in their setting
• Parents and relatives of a child with a developmental disability, who may be looking to learn more about a child’s healthcare needs
• Adults with a developmental disability, who may want to understand more about their own health and healthcare services

The course focuses on issues relevant to both high-income and low- and middle-income countries and information can be adapted to your personal setting. Course materials will draw on examples from a variety of contexts, including Brazil, UK, India and Zambia.