Remove healthcare barriers for children with developmental difficulties
Despite their complex needs, children with developmental disabilities often face barriers to healthcare access. Access to high-quality integrated healthcare is key to allowing young disabled people to realise their full potential and engage with their community.
On this access to healthcare course, you’ll develop your understanding of children with developmental disabilities and the effect of disability on child development.
You’ll also learn how to help improve integrated healthcare provision for this vulnerable group, by working in partnership with families and other essential services, such as education or social care providers, to remove healthcare barriers.
What topics will you 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
When would you like to start?
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe developmental disability and the impact of impairment and disability on children and their families
- Explain how early intervention can improve long-term outcomes for children with developmental disabilities
- Investigate the barriers and solutions to improve healthcare access for children with developmental disabilities
- Explore the importance of trust and equal partnership with children with developmental disabilities and their families
- Reflect on the broader needs and fundamental rights of children with developmental disabilities
- Discuss how to collaborate with other 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, and welcomes learners from across the globe.
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