DR RADICA MAHASE

Many parents and caregivers have similar concerns about their children’s development – they think their child isn’t developing as they should be; they recognise the signs of developmental delays but don’t know what to do; or their children have been diagnosed with a developmental delay but they don’t know what to do.

Here is a very brief guide to help parents/caregivers.

Recognising the signs – If you think that your child might have some kind of development delays you are probably correct, so go with your instincts. Keep track of all the things your child is doing and not doing (a growth diary). Continue to monitor your child’s development and record the milestones that your child has met. Pay special attention to speech, behaviour and socialisation.

Research the signs that you are seeing – information on autism and other developmental issues are widely available online from institutions such as the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and the National Health Services, UK.

Getting your child diagnosed – make sure that your child is properly diagnosed. Diagnosis should be done by a developmental paediatrician. First, get a referral letter from a regular GP to make an appointment at the paediatrics clinic at San Fernando General and Mt Hope hospitals or outreach clinics at Pt Fortin, Siparia, Couva and Princes Town health facilities.

The waiting period varies according to the institution and ranges from five to 18 months, so make your appointment as soon as you recognise any signs of developmental delay in your child. You also have the option to visit any of the three doctors who work in these institutions at their private practices at different venues. The cost of a private visit ranges from $1,500 to $5,500. Once your child is diagnosed, the developmental paediatrician will suggest different types of therapy which will help your child.

Accessing therapy – Speech, behavioural, occupational and physical therapies are the ones that are most recommended. Feel free to get referrals from other parents. Make sure that the therapist is properly qualified and experienced to work with your child. Consult more than one therapist before settling on one. Some therapists might ask you to sign a contract for a specific number of hours of therapy and to pay before. If you are uncomfortable with this for whatever reason, then you should not do so.

[caption id="attachment_935963" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Make sure that your child's tutor is trained in special-needs education. - courtesy Sataish Rampersad[/caption]

Also, if you feel that your child is not progressing; you are uncomfortable with a therapist’s attitude/behaviour, you are within your rights to find another therapist.

Make sure the therapist has a plan for your child; that you understand guidelines and goals set; and that you understand what is expected of you as a parent. Ask questions and make suggestions to the therapist and re