SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
By Morapedi Sibeko.
- With South Africa’s focus turning to the youth this June, it is important to note that inclusion encompasses all aspects of life, including supporting children with developmental disabilities.
- Developmental disabilities are a group of lifelong conditions that usually manifest in early childhood and often affect a person’s ability to learn, communicate, or interact socially.
- Japan’s Children and Families Agency, which has shared knowledge and experience with the Department of Social Development through a virtual workshop, highlights the importance of accessibility, community participation, and dignity.
South Africa’s national strategy towards integrated service provision for children with disabilities also embraces support for children with developmental disabilities.
The strategy aims to strengthen early detection, promote inclusivity, and ensure support for families and caregivers.
Japan’s Children and Families Agency recently held a virtual workshop with the Department of Social Development to share information about their laws, policies, and on-the-ground experience in supporting people with developmental disabilities.
Developmental disabilities are a group of lifelong conditions caused by impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavioural development, which usually manifest in early childhood and often affect a person’s ability to learn, communicate, or interact socially.
According to the World Health Organisation, developmental disabilities are common in children and young people.
Although the severity and presentation of such conditions vary, they all usually start in early childhood and can last a lifetime.
Creating an inclusive environment
Children with developmental disabilities often experience exclusion in social, educational, and economic spheres, as well as violations of their human rights. They remain as unseen, discriminated against, and underserved members of society.
Some of the more common developmental disabilities include:
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which impacts social interaction, communication, and behaviour,
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), known for symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness that can disrupt learning and social relationships; and learning disabilities, which affect how a child processes spoken or written information, often making reading, writing, or arithmetic particularly challenging.
• Speech and language development delays are also frequently observed, where children may struggle to express themselves clearly or understand what is being said to them.
Another common example is dyslexia, a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and spelling skills, despite the child having average or above-average intelligence.
Each of these conditions can impact a child’s academic performance, self-esteem, and social integration if not identified and supported early.
Developmental disabilities affect people across different stages of life.
Developmental screening enables health professionals to identify delays and provide timely interventions. These assessments help select the appropriate action to take to support and prepare children for learning, social engagement, and future independence.
In South Africa, developmental disabilities fall under the broader umbrella of disabilities as defined in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2015).
While the Department of Social Development does not currently have a standalone policy specifically addressing developmental disabilities, such conditions are included in the national strategy towards integrated service provision for children with disabilities, the department’s Manthipi Molamu has clarified.
Learning from international organisations
Internationally, some countries have taken deliberate steps to promote inclusivity.
In Japan, for instance, legislation on the Support for Persons with Developmental Disabilities was enacted in December 2004 and enforced in April 2005. It was strengthened in 2010 and amended in 2016.
According to the senior specialist of support for children with disabilities at the Children and Families Agency in Japan, Yasuhiro Nawata, the law is explicit in its inclusion of developmental disabilities.
As a result, access to services is not solely contingent on a medical diagnosis; services are made accessible to those who seek support, reducing barriers to care.
This progressive model highlights the value of treating developmental disabilities as a social, rather than a purely medical, issue, highlighting accessibility, community participation, and dignity.
Supporting children with developmental disabilities requires good collaboration between families, educators, healthcare professionals, and the social development sector.
Families are often the first to notice developmental differences, while schools play a key role in providing adaptive learning environments.
Holistic support is vital
Medical practitioners are essential for early diagnosis and management. Together, this network can help ensure that children with developmental disabilities receive holistic, continuous support throughout their lives.
Developmental disabilities should not be a life sentence of exclusion.
With early detection, inclusivity, appropriate interventions, and strong partnerships across sectors, children with developmental disabilities can lead fulfilling and dignified lives.
The Department of Social Development has laid a foundation for disability inclusion through frameworks like the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Policy on Social Development Services to Persons with Disabilities, which is yet to be presented in parliament for final approval.
Sharing knowledge and learning from good international practices plays a key role in shaping South Africa’s own legislation, Molamu notes.
Insights such as those gained from the Japanese experience are helping to strategically inform the development of the new Bill on Services to Persons with Disabilities.
The goal is to ensure that the unique needs of children with disabilities are comprehensively addressed, while also avoiding duplication with existing legislation such as the Children’s Act.
• * _ It is important to note that developmental disabilities can only be diagnosed by a certified medical practitioner. This article is intended to raise public awareness and does not serve as a diagnostic tool._ *
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