Professionals’ Perceptions on Family-Centered Early Childhood Intervention for Children with Developmental Delays in Kosovo

Abstract

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services play a crucial role in supporting children with developmental delays and/or disabilities, focusing on both child and family needs. However, barriers such as funding limitations, policy gaps, and societal stigma can restrict access and quality of these services. This study sought to capture the perceptions of ECI professionals in Kosovo regarding current service delivery, training requirements, challenges, and key priorities for strengthening support. Data was collected from 70 professionals across various roles through a structured survey that addressed service settings, professional development, perceived obstacles, and improvement recommendations. Analysis showed that most ECI sessions occur at service centers (84.93%) or childcare facilities (10.50%), while home-based interventions remain limited (0.70%). Although nearly all respondents receive some form of in-service training, over one-third reported receiving less than 10 hours annually. Significant challenges highlighted by professionals included community stigma affecting (10.51%) of families and funding constraints cited by (9.30%) of respondents. To enhance service effectiveness, professionals emphasized the need for expanded advocacy, stronger policy support, increased developmental assessments, and more robust training opportunities.