12 Aug Born to Fly

Psalm 127:3 “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.”

You would have come across the term developmental disorders, or if you are parents who are new to the term developmental disorders, here is a parent’s guide on how to deal with them:

First, it is crucial to accept that your child is special and needs special care and attention. Prioritize your child’s needs over yours. It is essential to understand what your child’s requirements are, which may not always be materialistic but could also include emotional or physical support.

Developmental disorders encompass various conditions such as Intellectual Disability (ID), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy (CP), and others.

The first step you must take is early diagnosis; the earlier the intervention, the better. Early diagnosis helps determine the exact cause, severity, and areas where the child needs special attention or help. Here are a few signs to look out for:

• No eye contact
• Poor response to name calls
• Staring blankly in space
• Zoning out
• Poor compliance
• Poor speech and communication
• Delayed milestones
• Stereotyped behaviour (hand flapping, toe walking, banging . . . )
• Hyperactivity
• Echolalia
• Use of jargon words

In today’s fast-paced world, where Google and AI are our friends, they provide information that could be both genuine and false. Total reliance on it is not advised. Once you identify the problem your child is facing, a quick visit to a paediatrician or child psychologist can make your hardship easier.

The second step is therapy. Therapy is essential nowadays, such as Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Child psychologist. These therapies target specific problems and help formulate short, systematic goals to achieve them with a proper, target-oriented treatment plan. However, therapy alone is not sufficient. You still have to work with your child on the goals formed every day so they can be achieved faster. As Christian parents, you could use the motto “pray and play.”

Play is the most effective therapy a child with developmental disorders can have. It’s fun, it’s a new learning experience, it improves task skills, and it enhances social interaction. Prayer is a powerful weapon; if you feel down and find it hard, just pray about it and then engage in play.

Children are all gifts of God, and if they are special, they make life special by teaching you new skills and perspectives. Don’t think of it as a downfall; rather, think of it as an upgrade to new opportunities you can achieve with your child. Create a safe place for your child to reach the maximum of their dreams.

Dr. Saloni Rajesh Kshirsagar, Occupational therapist, Jaipur, Rajasthan