IDDs are disorders that are usually present at birth that negatively affect the trajectory of the individual's physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems. Evidence shows that the earlier development is assessed, the greater the chance a child has at reaching its potential. On September 29, USAID’s I-Thrive project trained 58 commune and district health staff in Hue City on child development and IDD screening. Over the next three months, these health providers will carry out community-based screening in all of Hue City’s 27 wards. Children who are identified as at-risk will be assessed by multi-disciplinary teams, recruited for rehabilitation, and their parents will be trained to provide care and support to them.

So What? USAID support to identify IDDs in children and facilitate early intervention will result in better developmental outcomes and quality of life for children with disabilities, and improve rehabilitation services in Vietnam.