The purpose of this study was to assess the early intervention needs of preschool children with disabilities by measuring the express needs, including utilization and satisfaction of services, and risk factors. A structured questionnaire given to 340 main caregivers of preschool children with disabilities in Taipei City was used to gather data. The mean age of children with disabilities was 3.32 years old 32% of these children had a severe degree of disability and 31.8% were moderately disabled. 76.9% children accepted the evaluation of early childhood development, and 80.9% children utilized the early intervention services, mostly in a hospital setting. Responses differed slightly in early intervention utilization with regard to the gender of the caregiver(P<0.05), and the marital status of the main caregivers(P<0.01). The research findings showed that those main caregivers were female, the disabled children were more likely to receive early intervention services. In terms of the satisfaction of services, most of the main caregivers were not satisfied with the provision of continuity services and preschool education resources. The study suggests that the government should use the database of disabilities more efficiently to identify children who need early intervention and to provide the necessary services for them, as well as extending services to their families. An integrated early intervention program should include children, families, and multidisciplinary professionals. Therefore, the service system should be reoriented to provide interdisciplinary and appropriate services to children and families through legislative changes in the government.
The purpose of this study was to assess the early intervention needs of preschool children with disabilities by measuring the express needs, including utilization and satisfaction of services, and risk factors. A structured questionnaire given to 340 main caregivers of preschool children with disabilities in Taipei City was used to gather data. The mean age of children with disabilities was 3.32 years old 32% of these children had a severe degree of disability and 31.8% were moderately disabled. 76.9% children accepted the evaluation of early childhood development, and 80.9% children utilized the early intervention services, mostly in a hospital setting. Responses differed slightly in early intervention utilization with regard to the gender of the caregiver(P<0.05), and the marital status of the main caregivers(P<0.01). The research findings showed that those main caregivers were female, the disabled children were more likely to receive early intervention services. In terms of the satisfaction of services, most of the main caregivers were not satisfied with the provision of continuity services and preschool education resources. The study suggests that the government should use the database of disabilities more efficiently to identify children who need early intervention and to provide the necessary services for them, as well as extending services to their families. An integrated early intervention program should include children, families, and multidisciplinary professionals. Therefore, the service system should be reoriented to provide interdisciplinary and appropriate services to children and families through legislative changes in the government.