My son who is 2 years old and 7 months that is evaluated by the developmental pediatrician as have Global Development Delays. He advised our son to have occupational therapy once a week and eventually if the behavior is improve then our son will also undergo speech therapy to have social and communication skills.
Occupational therapy is a health care profession which help individual to live into the fullest. Occupational therapist can identify the strengths and difficulties of an individual and they can help them to cope in everyday life such as dressing or getting into shops. It helps individual to participate in the activities of everyday life.
Speech therapy is a clinical program which aims to improve speech and language skills as well as oral motor abilities. It helps individual who have difficulties with social and communication skills and with difficulties in eating, drinking and swallowing.
As of now, my son is undergoing occupational therapy in one of the center here in our province for the amount of Php600 per session which is equivalent to 1 hour session. Before the proper occupation therapy (OT), an occupational therapist will evaluate your child’s behaviors to measure their strengths and weaknesses and then develops a program that best suited to your child. Occupational therapist evaluation will cost Php1,500 which is good for 1 hour.
I can say that my son’s behavior is improving after 1 month of therapies which correspond to four (4) sessions. He is able to follow simple instruction and a little eye contact and able to imitate our moves. His occupational therapist mention me that maybe after a couple of weeks, he will be ready for the speech therapies session.
If you see your son or daughter that have a signs of autism or not be able to cope up with children development milestones, do not hesitate to seek advice to your pediatrician.