The importance of sustainability in the design of culturally appropriate programmes of early intervention.

The need for early intervention with regard to children with developmental disabilities is of increasingly universal relevance. The means adopted in pursuit of this end will, however, vary appropriately across cultures. All intervention programmes will inevitably share many features in common, but to be truly effective, programmes need to take into account circumstances in the locality in which they operate. This notion is frequently paid 'lip-service', but many programmes across the globe still retain the essential character of services developed in the context of Europe or North America. What is required is a radical appreciation of the importance of service programmes reflecting the structure and functions of indigenous culture. A concept useful in this regard is that of sustainability, which is currently guiding much discussion concerning the nature of economic and agricultural programmes in the developing world. This term emphasizes the need to consider from the outset the mechanisms that will serve to support changes brought about on the formal introduction of intervention programmes. Using a behaviour analytic framework to examine the concept of sustainability, specific prerequisites of a 'sustainable service' within any particular setting are suggested. A resulting checklist of factors that should be considered in advance of service development may be a useful aid to service planners.