Annual Conference of International Society of Early Intervention, University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal, 2nd – 5th September 2025

The International Society for Early Intervention (ISEI) is a globally recognised body dedicated to advancing the science and practice of early intervention (EI) for infants and young children with developmental disabilities and their families. Its conferences serve as a unique platform for researchers, clinicians, educators and policymakers to share innovations and build collaborative strategies to improve outcomes for children worldwide. The 2025 ISEI Conference, held at the University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal, from 2nd to 5th September 2025, attracted more than 800 delegates from around the world. Participants represented a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds, including early childhood educators, rehabilitation specialists, therapists and researchers. The theme of the conference emphasised global collaboration and the strengthening of EI systems through research, evidence-based practice and inclusion. PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIA Representing India, I had the opportunity to present work from ADAPT, Mumbai, and Multi-Agency International Training and Support (MAITS), UK, focusing on models of EI suitable for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In both the organisations, a critical role has been aimed to strengthen early childhood services in resource-constrained environments through innovative, community-based and sustainable approaches. Three papers based on this ongoing work were accepted for presentation – one as an oral presentation and two as posters. The theme for all papers was to highlight ADAPT’s and MAITS’s commitment to bridging practice, research and policy. 1. Teletherapy as an Alternate Model for Therapeutic Interventions for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in a Low-Resource Setting in Jharkhand, India: This study demonstrated how teletherapy can serve as an accessible, cost-effective and scalable model for delivering therapeutic interventions to children in rural and remote regions. The findings highlighted the feasibility of technology-driven service delivery within the Indian context and its role in addressing workforce shortages and geographical barriers 2. A Barefoot Training Toolkit to Work with Children with Developmental Disabilities in Resource-Constrained Settings Co-authored with Dr. Mel Adams, Speech and Language Therapist, UK: this presentation outlined a Community Health Worker Training toolkit designed to empower local caregivers and health personnel to provide foundational EI services. The program has been successfully implemented across several LMICs in Asia-Pacific and Africa, demonstrating the value of participatory and context-specific training models 3. Reaching the Unreached: Creating Impact to Support Children with Special Needs in the Tribal Areas of Rural India: This paper shared experiences from ADAPT’s Rural Outreach Project in Dahanu Taluka, Palghar District, focusing on the creation of locally responsive service delivery systems in tribal communities. The initiative emphasises inclusion through partnerships with local governance structures and community-based organisations, ensuring sustainability and cultural relevance. KEYNOTE ADDRESSES AND THEMATIC INSIGHTS The keynote sessions set the intellectual tone of the conference, highlighting the latest research, philosophical frameworks and practical innovations shaping EI globally. Dr. Mary Beth Bruder, Director of the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (USA), emphasised the need for systematic workforce development to strengthen EI services across different socioeconomic contexts. Her address highlighted that the sustainability of EI systems depends on building local capacities through education, training and intersectoral collaboration Dr. Carl Dunst, Psychologist and Senior Research Scientist at the Hawks Institute, USA, reflected on over five decades of research on participatory family-centred practices. He presented evidence that empowering families to become active partners in intervention significantly enhances children’s developmental outcomes and long-term family well-being Prof. Peter Rosenbaum, Professor of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Canada, Co-founder of the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, and globally recognised thought leader in childhood disability, delivered an inspiring lecture on the ‘F-words in Childhood Disability’ framework. His presentation reinforced the importance of shifting from a deficit-based to a strengths-based model of care, emphasising Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future as guiding principles. The keynote addresses resonated strongly with ADAPT’s philosophy of family-centred, inclusive and community-linked practice. During the conference, I had the privilege of engaging individually with the keynote speakers. Discussions included sharing amongst others, the doctoral work of Dr. Mithu Alur on integrating EI for children with special needs within India’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Her role in paving the way for many systemic reforms in the country by highlighting the gaps in policy intervention in the ICDS and EI was shared. During his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Rosenbaum reflected on the social model of disability and our discussion built on this theme. Having visited India on previous occasions, he was familiar with the local context. We discussed the slow but steady transition from the medical to the bio-psycho-social model in developing countries. I shared my perspective that economic constraints and fragmented service systems often impede this shift in LMICs. Prof. Rosenbaum agreed that even high-income nations are still navigating this change, noting that the evolution toward inclusive, socially grounded systems is an ongoing journey. I also shared Ms. Malini Chib’s proposed study on the bio-psycho-social model and requested his expert feedback and guidance for the same. NETWORKING AND PROSPECTIVE COLLABORATIONS Beyond formal presentations, the conference provided a fertile environment for academic exchange and collaboration. Several discussions were initiated to explore partnerships aligned with ADAPT’s Multiversity and the Journal of Inclusion and Disability: Research, Neurorehabilitation and Empowerment. Key interactions included discussions with: Dr. Anna Bujowska, Oviedo University, Spain Dr. Hollie Hix Small, Portland State University, USA Sarah Carlon, Head of Research and Special Education, Australia Valerie Boyer, Southern Illinois University, USA Padmini Yellarapu, Singapore. Potential areas for collaboration include joint research projects and scholarly contributions to forthcoming issues of the ADAPT Journal. Mr. Martin Kung, Founder of Tiggie Kids, Singapore, shared insights into a digital platform designed to support children with autism. Given the growing presence of Tiggie Kids in Delhi, opportunities were discussed for possible collaboration to expand the initiative to other regions through ADAPT’s networks. In addition, Dr. Mary Beth Bruder expressed interest in future engagement through an ISEI Committee working on the development of international protocols for workforce preparation in EI. Among Indian delegates, Rev. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes and Mrs. Vaibhavi Bhagwat from Don Bosco School, Mumbai, also participated in the conference. Mrs. Bhagwat presented a poster on a Special Educational Needs protocol implemented in mainstream classrooms, furthering conversations on inclusive education and potential partnerships for training and implementation. CONCLUSION The ISEI 2025 Conference provided a valuable opportunity to showcase India’s contributions to EI research and to engage in critical dialogue with international experts. The discussions reinforced the global need for context-sensitive approaches that integrate family-centred practices, community participation and cross-sectoral collaboration. The experience at ISEI 2025 was both affirming and forward-looking – a reminder that collaboration across borders is fundamental to ensuring that every child, regardless of geography or circumstance, has access to quality EI and the opportunity to thrive. In essence, the conference reaffirmed that knowledge sharing, collaborative research and capacity building remain the cornerstones for advancing inclusion and improving the quality of life for children with developmental disabilities and their families. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.