Lenti fuq l-Iżvilupp ta’ Wliedna (known as LENTI) is a national early screening programme that helps to identify possible developmental delays, learning difficulties, and/or educational needs in children so that they can be supported before starting early years education.
Invitations are sent to parents/guardians of children at 24 months (two years old) to participate in the LENTI screening from the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR). The screening is carried out by means of twenty (20) questions about the child from a professional from the Speech and Language Centre (SLC), from the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHA).
The LENTI programme adopts a preventive approach to identify and cater as early as possible for any potential difficulties in children, arising from developmental delays. The screening does not provide conclusive evidence of developmental delays and will not result in an immediate diagnosis. It may, however, help identify possible difficulties which could lead to an early diagnosis through further in-detail assessments by our specialised team.
This service aims to:
- do the early screening to all 24 months’ old children before commencing early years education, to assess for any delays in communication, social skills and movement;
- coordinate and facilitate the process leading to support services available for children;
- increase access to appropriate and timely services, thus reducing the need for more intensive intervention later-on in the child’s life.
The screening is carried out in the form of a short questionnaire with the parents, where they provide answers to a number of set questions (M-CHAT). The questionnaire’s responses will not provide conclusive evidence of any delays or difficulties, and neither will provide an immediate diagnosis, however these will help to identify possible difficulties which could lead to an early diagnosis through further in-depth assessments.
All children between the age of 24 months and 30 months, after receiving an invitation to participate in the Lenti fuq l-Iżvilupp ta’ Wliedna programme from the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR).
Invites are sent to parents/guardians to participate in the screening programme. However, if the children are 24 months of age and have not yet participated in this screening programme, the parents/guardians may call the Speech Language Centre (SLC) between 8:00am and 2:00pm (Monday to Friday) on 21230822, or by sending an email to [email protected] with all the necessary information.
Parents/guardians need to fill-in a Consent Form to participate in the screening appointment.
Click here to download the Consent Form (PDF)
