Busan opens support center for children with disabilities and people with developmental disorders

Busan city held an opening ceremony Friday for the Busan Metropolitan City Center for Children with Disabilities and Developmental Disorders, a new hub designed to serve children with disabilities, people with developmental disorders and their families, as the city moves to strengthen early detection and integrated support services.

Officials from the Korea Disabled People's Development Institute, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Busan city government, the Busan City Council and disability welfare organizations attended the ceremony at the center in Beomcheon-dong, Busanjin-gu.

The center was established after an amendment to the Act on Welfare Support for Children with Disabilities made the creation of such centers mandatory, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare setting a goal of opening one in each metropolitan city and province. Busan began leasing office space and hiring staff earlier this year and completed renovation and interior work in May.

The center will provide services for children with disabilities and their families, including individualized support plans, developmental counseling and early intervention for infants and toddlers, a disability support network, and parent education and family support programs.

Individualized support plans are tailored to each child by taking into account the nature of their disability, developmental level, environmental factors and family needs. The plans prioritize the interests and needs of the child and family through welfare service referrals and ongoing monitoring.

Registered children with disabilities under 18 may apply for an individualized support plan at their local community service center or at the Busan Center for Children with Disabilities and Developmental Disorders. Children under 9 who are not registered as having a disability may still apply by submitting a developmental rehabilitation service decision or a physician's note indicating a suspected disability.

The center will also provide early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk of developmental delays, aimed at promoting development and strengthening families' parenting capabilities. A family-centered parenting coaching program sends early intervention specialists into the home to coach parents on interaction methods and parenting skills that support their child's development in everyday settings.

Early intervention services are open to children under 6 who are registered as having a disability, have a physician's note indicating a suspected disability, or have been recommended for further evaluation or ongoing monitoring based on developmental screening results from infant and toddler health checkups. Applications can be submitted in person at the center or by email.