Early start - Developmental Pediatricians

What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?

If your child has a developmental learning or behavioral problem, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician has the training and expertise to evaluate and care for your child. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians possess training and experience to consider, in their assessments and treatments, the medical and psychosocial aspects of children’s developmental and behavioral problems.

What training do developmental-behavioral pediatricians have?

Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are medical doctors who have completed medical school, have completed a residency, are board certified in pediatrics, and have had additional training in developmental pediatrics.

Developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate, counsel, and provide treatment for children, adolescents, and their families with a wide range of developmental and behavioral difficulties, including:

•Learning disorders including dyslexia, writing difficulties, math disorders, and other school-related learning problems

• Attention and behavioral disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and associated conditions including oppositional-defiant behavior, conduct problems, depression, and anxiety disorders

• Tics, Tourette syndrome, and other habit disorders

•Regulatory disorders including sleep disorders, feeding problems, discipline difficulties, complicated toilet-training issues, enuresis (bedwetting), and encopresis (soiling)

• Developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, and visual and hearing impairments

• Delayed development in speech, language, motor skills, and thinking ability

•Behavioral and developmental problems complicating the full range of pediatric chronic illnesses and disabling conditions (for example, genetic disorders, epilepsy, prematurity, diabetes, asthma, cancer)

Developmental-behavioral pediatricians work closely with parents, families, and schools.

Developmental-behavioral pediatricians understand that children’s development and behavior happen first and foremost in the context of the family. They seek to understand the family’s view of the problem and the effect of the child’s problem on the family. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians advocate for their patients with developmental and behavioral problems by working closely with schools, preschools, and other agencies involved with developmental care and education.

Where can I find a developmental-behavioral pediatrician?

To find a certified developmental pediatrician in the Philippines, visit the website of the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (http://www.psdbp.com/). You may also wish to consult your child’s teacher or fellow parents to find out information (wait time for an appointment) and their experiences with the different “dev peds” (as they are more popularly called) in Cebu.

Source:

http://www.healthychildren.org/

Some other organizations with information or support services for children with developmental delays:

Autism Society of the Philippines - http://autismsocietyphilippines.org/

Buildabilities (physical and occupational therapy and special educations services) - 346-B

Gorordo Ave., Brgy. Kamputhaw, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines 6000

Cebu Association for the Deaf

Cebu Braille Center in Cebu Normal University

Cebu Organization for the Blind, Inc.

Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines - www.dsapi.org

Gualandi Mission for the Deaf - www.gualandimission.blogspot.com

Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - http://www.psdbp.com/

RehabMedics Inc at Chiong Hua Hospital

The FREEMAN and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. is running weekly features on Early Childhood Care and Development to emphasize the importance of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and to increase public support for ECCD. (FREEMAN)