The Government Information Center

If any problem or delay in respect of the growth of your child is identified at the birth, during childhood or thereafter, as a public sector institution our department is at your disposal.

Detecting children’s disabilities early and providing services

The realization that a child is having a disability is an agonizing experience that leads to strained relationships amongst family members and it is essential for them to seek psychiatric support to relieve the mental stress and to adapt themselves to the reality. It is not only beneficial to the child but to all family members. The age limits during which children’s problems (disabilities) related to growth can be identified are different. Some conditions can be detectedat the birth itself. The experts are of the view that there is a far greater chance of achieving maximum results, if the problem is identified and necessary interventions are madeas early as possible.

Thus the Department of Social Services, initiated a model project based on Colombo District in year 2003 to meet the growing demand for introducing a national programme to make a positive intervention in the early childhood development of children with different disabilities of Sri Lanka and this Child Guidance Centre was established at No. 11, Wela Road, Maharagama.

Objectives of the Project

• Introducing a more productive method in identifying disabilities of children and making early interventions
• Strengthening service network that includes the institutions in the relevant fields connected with the provision of services to children with disabilities.
• Making interventions to strengthen early childhood education an inclusivity of children with special needs
• Making interventions to improve mental status of parents and members o the family.
• Introducing the project to other districts.

On behalf of your child, we

• Prepare the child for development
• Provide essential basic services
• Improve health situation
• Offer early childhood education
• Refer to formal education
• Coordinate welfare services

Early Childhood Guidance Centre offers the following services to your child free of charge.

• Group classes for children
• Individual, small group and group classes for children
• Physiotherapy service
• Professional therapy service
• Health clinics
• Get-togethers
• Speech therapy service
• Classes for children with multiple disabilities
• Preschool teacher training courses targeting children with special needs
• Programmes for improvement of mental health of parents
• Psychological counselling services
• Field inspections
• Educational and entertainment trips

Further information can be obtained from the Social Service Officers or Development Officers of the Department of Social Services attached to Divisional Secretariats across the island.n these schools