NURSE’ ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE DISORDER (DLD) IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DURING THE COVID -19 OUTBREAK

Abstract

Early childhood development is important where the brain has the highest growth, also neural circuits and connections between neurons are mostly formed which are ready to receive information and learn quickly. Development language disorder (DLD) is most commonly diagnosed in Early childhood. It is associated with intellectual development which affects various learning processes. This problem can cause the children to be unable to learn in the same capacity as normal children. However, if they receive treatment and continuous therapy as early as possible, it will be preferable for children to progress in language development. The involvement of parents or caregivers is needed to encourage and promote child development and accompany their child to the hospital. More importantly, during the outbreak of Covid-19, it is difficult for parents or caregivers to bring their children to the hospital. Consequently, It results in a challenge for nurses at child development clinics to develop effective activities to encourage and promote early childhood development in accordance with the context and continuity which include: 1) educating parents or caregivers to use Thai Early Developmental Assessment for Intervention (TEDA4I). 2) being active and promoting early childhood language development. 3) Using digital media technology for communication to promote language development at home. and 4) following-up and evaluation of the early childhood language development by the participation of family members which may increase their quality of life.