Sunday, August 05, 2007 Small milestones By Radzini Oledan
I CONSIDER it a blessing, my prayers have been answered in a special way," Beth, a mother of a child with global development delay said.
For parents like her, it could be a silent struggle to improve the condition of their child; being able to understand the cause of such condition and celebrate the small milestones that could be attained by their child.
Miggy, who is now seven years old, is a special child to Beth and her husband Arnel. The earlier bout with the condition has caused confusion. Mind-boggling, in fact, as they try to understand the condition of their child and provide him with the support needed.
Eventually, acceptance that seems to be a burden at the start turns out to be a blessing.
Parents often have concerns about their children's development, especially when they see other children of the same age already attaining a milestone that their child still has to meet.
Developmental milestones are determined by the average age at which children attain each skill, therefore, statistically, about 3% of children will not meet them on time, although a little bit later than expected.
It was a different case with Miggy.
Developmental delay in his case affected the child's speech and language, motor skills, personal, and social skills.
Studies show that a child with a global delay will have delays in all areas of development. It is usually caused by a static (does not worsen with time) encephalopathy caused by a disorder before or near the time or birth.
His delay in fine motor skills is manifested in not being able to use a spoon or fork, tie his shoes, button his clothes, write his name, draw shapes, color inside the lines, or hold a pencil correctly at the age appropriate time and his inability to walk correctly in his early years.
But with the Scotson Technique, a therapy that focuses on strengthening the diaphragm and reproducing many of the stages of respiratory development upon which neurological growth depends, small positive changes have been observed.
The treatment consists of gentle pulsating pressure on the chest and abdomen to facilitate capillary flow across cells and encourage connection of this flow with the brain.
The Scotson technique which was made available to parents of special children a few months ago here in Davao in subsidized rates to enable proper intervention for those who have limited financial means, enabled children like Miggy to improve.
Coupled with sending their child to a special school, Miggy has now developed his ability to distinguish letters, socialize with other kids and perform basic tasks. "Even with his condition, we wanted to provide him with the opportunity to be the best that he can be," his parents said.
Still, while the family wanted to tap the expertise of a speech therapist to help their son, interventions could be costly.
"The medicines alone are costly. Treatments are made possible with the pooling of resources among parents with special children and individuals who are interested to help, a speech therapist would be very helpful but we are saddled with financial limitations," Beth said.
Families with special children has to shell out a minimum of P20,000 for the medicine and treatment of their child. An amount which is beyond their capacity as employees to shell out.
Despite the challenges, the family continued to carry on. "We believe that prayers and persistence can make things possible," Beth added.
Arnel, who is a sports enthusiast, had looked forward to spending time with his son in a kayak, an interest where he excels.
"I had high expectations for my son," he said. "Eventually, our persistence to learn the condition of our son, made us able to provide adequate intervention, and provide him with unconditional love, understanding and care" he added.
It was Arnel who finds ways to get information on the condition of their son, scourging through thrift bookshops to read some materials that could help him understand his son.
"I learned that beyond providing medical attention, which is very necessary, our son should feel our love and support. He needs our understanding," Arnel said. The positive changes in Miggy, at this time, may be considered small.
Nevertheless, it has kept the spark of hope burning.
