No Child Left Behind”: Bihar Launches Disability Screening Protocol for Anganwadis
In a landmark move for inclusive early childhood development, the Bihar government has launched a formal Disability Screening Schedule (DSS) and protocol. This initiative ensures that developmental delays or disabilities in children aged 0-6 years are identified and addressed early rather than ignored.
The DSS is a standardized checklist allowing Anganwadi workers to monitor six critical areas:
1. Motor development
2. Language and communication
3. Cognitive development
4. Social and emotional behavior
5. Vision and Hearing
To support this, a robust referral system has been established, linking Anganwadi centers to ASHA/ANM workers, the RBSK team, and ultimately to District Early Intervention Centers (DEIC). The core mission of this protocol is to ensure that “no child is left behind” by providing timely investigation and treatment.
