PSDBP holds its sixth biennial convention

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (PSDBP) will have its sixth biennial convention on Sept. 9 to 10 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City. The theme is Looking In and Linking Up: A Collaborative Approach to Support Families of Children with Special Needs. Filipino children with special needs still lack widespread community support. The convention aims to address issues regarding their optimal care and explore intervention programs to support their families at home, school and community. Topics include the challenges of families with special needs, educational placements, sex education, management of challenging behaviours, employment and community integration. 

PSDBP president Dr. Joselyn Eusebio and program director Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta have brought together an interdisciplinary team of experts — developmental pediatricians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, educators, psychologists and parents. The participation of community leaders and policy makers in the discussions will highlight how advocacy can be put into action.

This year will also mark the launching of The Perla D. Santos-Ocampo Professorial Lecture, in recognition of PSDBP’s founding president and her pioneering work in child development in the Philippines. The keynote lecture will be on The Medical Home: Linking and Extending Resources to the Family to be given by Dr. Alexis Reyes. Also invited are Trisha and Sam Golez, a mother and her daughter with Down Syndrome who just graduated from high school. Their inspiring story brings hope and triumph despite the odds. Finally, there will be a special exhibit titled Photography with a Difference by volunteer photographers from different sectors of society led by John Chua.

The convention is open to parents and families, primary care physicians, pediatricians, allied medical professionals, educators, psychologists and other advocates in the care of children with special needs. For details, call the PSDBP Secretariat at 434-3946 or and 0922-8019057.