Title : Early neurodevelopmental screening and intervention in resource-limited settings: Clinical experience from Angola

Neurodevelopmental disorders represent a growing global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to early screening, diagnosis, and intervention remains limited. In Angola, many children with developmental delays are identified late, reducing opportunities for optimal neuroplasticity and early therapeutic outcomes. This presentation highlights clinical experiences and observational findings from pediatric neurodevelopmental practice in Angola, focusing on early screening markers, multidisciplinary intervention, and functional developmental outcomes in children presenting with language delays, social communication difficulties, behavioral dysregulation, and cognitive developmental concerns.

The study is based on clinical observations conducted in children evaluated at a specialized neurodevelopmental center in Luanda, Angola. Assessment procedures included developmental history, behavioral observation, communication screening, sensory profile analysis, and parent-reported developmental concerns. Particular attention was given to early neurological and behavioral indicators associated with atypical neurodevelopment, including delayed speech acquisition, reduced eye contact, repetitive behaviors, sensory dysregulation, attention deficits, and social interaction impairments.

Findings from clinical practice demonstrate that early identification combined with intensive multidisciplinary intervention can significantly improve communication, adaptive behavior, social engagement, and learning readiness in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Interventions included speech and language therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based strategies, sensory integration approaches, parent training, nutritional support, and educational accommodations. Observed outcomes suggest that early intervention during critical periods of brain development contributes positively to functional neurodevelopmental progress even within resource-limited healthcare settings.

This presentation also discusses the challenges faced in Angola, including limited awareness, scarcity of specialized professionals, delayed referrals, and restricted access to diagnostic services. Despite these barriers, the implementation of neuroscience-informed early intervention models has shown promising clinical impact in improving developmental trajectories and family engagement.

The findings reinforce the importance of early neurodevelopmental screening programs, multidisciplinary neuroscience-based intervention, and increased investment in pediatric neurodevelopment services across Africa. The Angolan clinical experience highlights the urgent need for scalable early intervention frameworks capable of supporting children during critical stages of brain development and neuroplasticity.

Dra. Line Duarte is a Neurodevelopment Specialist from Angola with clinical expertise in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, early intervention, speech and language therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She is the founder of Caliomac Pediatric Clinic & Neurodevelopment Center and works extensively with children presenting developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, language disorders, and behavioral challenges. Her work focuses on early screening, multidisciplinary intervention, parental guidance, and neuroscience-based approaches adapted for African clinical settings. She has pursued international training in neurodevelopment and pediatric intervention, including advanced studies associated with Harvard Medical School.