'Me and My Child' initiative seeks to empower children with disabilities

MUSCAT: In an effort to support children with disabilities, the Ministry of Social Development has launched the 'Me and My Child' initiative, specifically designed for children, babies from birth to three years old, as well as their families.
The goal of the initiative is to empower children with disabilities at a young age by offering family counselling, psychological support and home-based rehabilitation services based on internationally recognised practices in early childhood development. This helps bridge the developmental gap between these children and their peers, while also emphasising the crucial role of families as key partners in the early intervention process.

The ministry has announced that the current phase of the initiative is targeting 30 children with disabilities and their families. It is anticipated that this initiative will enhance the quality of life for these families, facilitate their acceptance of their child's condition, reduce the psychological stress associated with diagnosis, and prepare children to fully benefit from rehabilitation and educational inclusion services in the future.
Various programmes are included in the initiative, such as introductory meetings for families, providing a toolkit for early intervention in special education, conducting regular home visits, and offering family counselling sessions and continuous training for parents to monitor their children's skill development and establish new rehabilitation goals to work on at home.
The launch of this initiative demonstrates the ministry's dedication to strengthening early intervention programmes and enhancing rehabilitation services for this vulnerable age group. It also aligns with Oman Vision 2040, the Social Work Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.