A Survey of Current Practice and Program Needs of Early Intervention in Korea

Lee, So Hyun; Cho, Yoon Kyung

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2004;9(1): 130-151.

So Hyun Lee^` , and Yoon Kyung Cho^`

이소현(So Hyun Lee)| 조윤경(Yoon Kyung Cho)

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the current practice and program needs of early intervention for infants and toddlers with developmental delays in Korea. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 188 institutions across the country, including special preschools, welfare centers, private early learning centers, and daycare centers for children with disabilities. Based on the responses from 188 institutions, the current status of present practices and program needs of early intervention service for infants and toddlers with developmental delays were analyzed. Implications for developing the support system for children under age three, who were eligible for special education, were discussed in terms of the following three factors: (1) expanding the field of early intervention and ensuring the rights of children under age three for the access to the appropriate service; (2) improving the quality of early intervention service, including curriculum development, qualified professionals, environmental engineering etc.; (3) ensuring collaboration between infrastructures when developing a structural system of delivering early intervention service.