Global Developmental Delay Diagnosis

Oftentimes we are asked why Isobelle only has her primary education at the age of 6? Why did we enroll her late? Why is she having tantrums at school and why the need to be homeschooling at home? They are seeing Isobelle as funny and always happy, intelligent, and not having any difficulties when it comes to her homeschooling worksheets. 

If they see Isobelle physically some of them already labeled her as someone with Autism, or a special child because of her uncommon behavior much more if they don’t have enough time to mingle with her. Some would have difficulty speaking to her because she can’t quite understand the conversation with adults who don't have eye contact with her or don't talk to her regularly. Some kids even avoid her because when she starts babbling english words, then conversation ends. But what they don’t know, or hardly know is what we had before. 

When Isobelle turned 2, we had to seek a Developmental Pedia because we notice some delays in her development like walking, sitting, speaking and not being able to express herself clearly to us. We set up an appointment to the nearest Developmental Pedia and it took us 3 months to finally get a schedule for an assessment.

On the day of the assessment, we get to meet Dra Maricel Dacumos, a Developmental Pedia and well-known for her expertise. They gave initial assessment to Isobelle performing some tests that included solving blocks, puzzles, test of hearing and eye contact, sense of touch and emotions and also interviewed me regarding some aspects of Isobelle’s delay. Also, I was advised for an electroencephalogram or EEG Test. The EEG will help tell if seizures or other brain conditions are the cause of the symptoms. Then I have to go back for the result and also follow up on what intervention we are going to do.

The assessment supports a document that explained the delays that Isobelle exhibits. Since she is delayed with fine and gross motor, speech, and physical, she was diagnosed with  “Globally Delay Development”. 

The term 'developmental delay' or 'global development delay' is used when a child takes longer to reach certain development milestones than other children their age. This might include learning to walk or talk, movement skills, learning new things and interacting with others socially and emotionally.

I also asked Dra. Dacumos on how much this therapy session and test would actually cost. She then told me about the free therapy sessions that our government supports just in case we filed a request at the municipality. I just need to secure an ID bearing that Isobelle is a PWD and of course the assessment and referral of Dra. Dacumos and the test needed.

HOW WE MANAGE TO SAVE PHP60,000 WITH OUR THERAPY SESSIONS

After the EEG test that came out with normal results and no abnormal behavior or pattern, I submitted it to Helping Hands clinic. I was given an instruction to wait for our schedule once Physical Therapy is available. During that time, there was only one inhouse Physical Therapist, Teacher Catherine Flores.

I received a call a few weeks after and we started our Physical Therapy sessions that lasted for 3 months when she was finally walking on her own. I will share more information about it on my next blog post since I will tackle some of the activities they did at the center and the activities I also mimic at home.

It is indeed advisable for parents to do an Early Intervention Program in case you suspect that your child doesn’t hit their milestones at a certain age. But, still, you shouldn’t go there unprepared. Going through this phase is not as easy as 1,2,3 and don’t feel guilty if you are a bit late to do so. For us, it took an amount of 1 year before we finally hit it. We need to be prepared mentally, physically, financially and of course emotionally.