About iRockit

iRockit is an organization which specializes in early child development for children between the ages of 0-6 years. We work with young children and their families to ensure children achieve age appropriate developmental milestones.

We work with children who show both typical and atypical development and our services are customized to the needs of the child and family.
 

OUR VISION

To make Early Identification and Early Intervention services an integral part of paediatric care in India, much like immunization is today.
 

OUR WORK

Developmental Monitering

Periodically track achievement of age-appropriate milestones in different developmental domains

Parents are able to:

  • Identify any concerns early
  • Discuss their child’s progress with doctors in an informed manner
  • Know what milestones are expected next
Preventive Intervention

Improve outcomes in infants “at risk” for developmental delays due to conditions present at or around birth

Such as:

  • Prematurity
  • Low birth weight
  • Pre, peri or post-natal complications
  • Extended stay in the neonatal ICU
Facilitating Development

For children who demonstrate delays in achieving developmental milestones, or need extra help mastering skills in a timely manner

Such as:

  • A 6 month old who is not reaching for toys while sitting
  • A 14 month old who is not saying his first words
  • A 3 year old who is having difficulty with toilet training
Family Education

For family members & caregivers seeking evidence-based best practices, tools and other resources

Those who are wondering:

  • Am I positioning her correctly while she eats?
  • What is the best play activity to encourage crawling?
  • Why does my child hold his breath when he cries?

RATIONALE

Research proves that the first 6 years of a child’s life are the most critical years for development. 80 - 90% of brain development happens during these years. The right inputs to the child at this age by way of health, nutrition, stimulation, affection, and education promote healthy development.

These early years also present a window of opportunity to correct or mitigate any developmental concerns or conditions that may arise. With the right intervention, the child’s health, productivity and quality of life can improve significantly.

According to the World Health Organization Early Intervention is one of the smartest investments that any country can make to ensure a bright future. Early Intervention is included in the Sustainable Developmental Goals and is made available free of cost to children in the several developed countries.

OUR APPROACH

Early Intervention is a rapidly evolving discipline and over the last decade traditional approaches have given way to more effective and evidence based systems which we follow at iRockit. Here are some of the important differences in the approaches –

Traditional Approach New Approach
Focus Deficiency focused

Identify and focus on the child’s limitations

 Strength focused

When planning activities and curriculum the strengths and interests of a child are at the forefront
Parent Involvement Very limited

Professionals work with the child directly. Parents can observe, but are not encouraged to do so. Professionals make recommendations to parents about their child.  There is no discussion, only what they know is best.

 Highly involved

Professionals work with the child and parents as a team. Parents must mandatorily attend every session. They are involved in every aspect of the therapy right from evaluation to planning to setting goals. Parents know their child best and their ideas and inputs are actively solicited.
Skill Transfer Train the Child

The professional works with the child in isolation and skill development happens in the limited hours that the child spends in the clinic.

 Train the family

In addition to working with the child, skills are transferred to the caregivers by the professionals through demonstration so that the intervention becomes a continuous process and gets built into the daily routine of the child.
Role of Professional Fragmented delivery

Professionals from various disciplines i.e. speech therapists, occupational therapists, special educators, psychologists etc. work with the child, but in isolation.

They focus only on their own discipline and there is no collaboration or communication between them.   They all evaluate, make recommendations and serve the child independently.

 Collaborative delivery

Services are provided by one professional – an Early Interventionist, who is trained to work with young children across all domains of development. The Early Interventionist has a specialisation in one form of therapy which may be speech, occupational or otherwise, but can cut across other domains. If a child requires highly specialised support in a domain which is not the Early Interventionists primary domain, another specialist can get roped in.