Interventions for children at risk of developmental delay in Low- and Middle income countries : A systematic litterature review

Due to poverty and a lack of stimulation, many children living in Low- and Middle income countries suffer from developmental delay and do not develop to their full potential. Yet, remarkable recovery is often possible given that early interventions are available. The aim of this systematic literature review was to find out what could be done to decrease the gap between the current development and the developmental potential among children aged 0-8 years, living in Low –and Middle income countries. The research questions were the following: What intervention programs are provided by communities in Low- and Middle income counties with the intention of training parents´ to support their children reaching their developmental potential? What are the impacts of the interventions on children’s development, and what are the impacts of the interventions on parents´ knowledge about children`s development? Twelve studies were identified through a database search. After analyzing the data two different types of intervention programs emerged: parenting programs and stimulation programs. The gap between children´s current developmental levels and their developmental potential was not measured in the studies. However, the intervention programs show to have positive effects on informing parents regarding child development, as well as making positive impacts on children’s cognitive development and social skills. The interventions mainly focus on children under the age of three, while interventions focusing on older children are few and need to be further researched. Simple matters, such as home-made toys and interactive communication with the children, can make a big impact on children’s development, which prepares children for future education