Early intervention is a multidisciplinary practice which seeks to respond both to the needs of children with developmental disabilities and those who are at risk, surpassing the old models of early stimulation. The problem of deciding which children and families should be supported, and the requirements for planning of interventions, stress the importance of a clear characterization, or diagnosis, of children and contexts. In the model underlying the network of Early Intervention, locally based, implemented in a wide region of Portugal, are emphasized relational and contextual dimensions of development and risk. The authors are developing practices and tools for better eligibility of cases and technical guidance intervention focused more on the actual needs of the child, family and context. Here are presented the results of the use of DOEI - Diagnosis Organization in Early Intervention - in the characterization of the development problems and risk of a total of 1.169 children and their contexts.
early intervention; child development; developmental psychopathology; diagnosis
