HPA performs over 400,000 child evaluations

HPA performs over 400,000 child evaluations

In a significant move to address the rising number of suspected developmental delay cases, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) in Taiwan has launched a series of initiatives. Last July, the HPA introduced a screening service for children under the age of seven, which was carried out at over 1,200 healthcare facilities nationwide. As a result, more than 400,000 child development screenings were performed in the past year, with over 25,000 suspected developmental delay cases discovered.

One such case is that of a four-year-old girl named Hsiao-an, who was found to have suspected fine motor skill delays during a screening. Hsiao-an's motor skills and mood swings improved significantly after being prescribed corrective glasses and rehabilitation.

The HPA recommends three steps for parents: first, make daily observations of their child's development using the Children's Health Handbook; second, use the six screening services according to the recommended schedule; and third, if the child is suspected to have developmental delays, get an assessment at interdisciplinary assessment centers.

To cater to the increased demand for assessments, the number of interdisciplinary assessment centers for child development has increased from 52 in 2022 to 88 this year. These centers involve a team of professionals, including pediatricians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language therapists, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and neuropsychologists.

The director of Mackay Memorial Hospital Child Intervention and Developmental Assessment Center, Chen Hui-ju, emphasized the complexity of development delay assessments and the need for professional knowledge and time. She also expressed a need for more resources from the government to help retain workers and ensure high-quality assessments due to staff shortages in many centers.

While fine motor skills were a concern for 28.8 percent of the suspected cases, most of the cases struggled in language and cognitive skills, accounting for 75.6 percent. Social development was a concern for 29 percent of the suspected cases.

It is important to note that signs of fine motor skill delays in young children may include difficulty handling small objects, trouble with tasks requiring coordination and dexterity, clumsiness or awkwardness when manipulating small items, challenges in eye-hand coordination, and lack of interest or avoidance of activities involving fine motor use.

In light of the increased number of cases requiring follow-up and healthcare instructions, 17 designated key hospitals are not allowed to reject referred cases. Referring cases must book an assessment appointment within 30 days and provide a comprehensive assessment report to the HPA within 45 days. The compliance rate for these requirements was over 90 percent last year, with a goal of reaching 100 percent this year.

Early identification and collaboration among these disciplines help to create a targeted intervention plan, maximizing a child’s developmental potential. If multiple developmental domains are affected, this may indicate a broader developmental delay requiring more extensive evaluation and management.

1. The rising number of chronic diseases, including neurological disorders, is a concern as the Health Promotion Administration discovered over 25,000 suspected developmental delay cases through their nationwide screening service.
2. In the realm of health and wellness, mental health is equally important, and interdisciplinary assessment centers in Taiwan aid in the evaluation of children who may be struggling with language, cognitive skills, social development, or even fine motor skills.
3. Recognizing the significance of science in addressing medical-conditions, the HPA in Taiwan has increased the number of interdisciplinary assessment centers to cater to the increased demand for assessments, aiming for high-quality evaluations and timely interventions.

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