Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Therapy, School of Health Sciences Kyushu University of health and welfare
Abstract
The enhancement of maternal and child health programs has enabled early detection and intervention in routine health examination for children. However, there are regional differences in the contents of children with mild developmental disorders who had no risks at birth but had developmental problems that were overlooked during infant health checkups. Case 1 was a child whose disability was noticed by the caregiver but who passed the health checkup and was unable to receive appropriate follow-up. The disorder was detected by a speech therapist through a community childcare support program. Case 2 was a child whose disability was not noticed by the caregiver and who passed the health checkup. The disorder was detected by a speech therapist through the consultation system at our department. Based on these two cases, the following problems concerning existing screening checklist systems were identified as the causes of failure to detect disorders during checkups: lack of screening items, low expertise of personnel conducting checkups, lenient criteria, and insufficient follow-up systems. Considering the necessity for early detection and intervention in children with disabilities and the importance of follow-up after checkups, it was considered necessary for speech-language-hearing therapists to be actively involved in the check up program
