neurodivergent

PARENTS and guardians of kids 0-6 years of age can avail of the free services from the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children (DCSNICC).  

In an interview with city-run Disaster Radio on Thursday, center manager Melody Pardillo said 1,114 are officially enrolled in the center, out of 1,200 sign-ups.

“Our center serves as a one-stop shop dedicated to early childhood intervention,” she said.

The facility has a developmental pediatrician who evaluates and manages the behavior of the children to determine a diagnosis, all at no additional cost.

Other services include physical therapy, aqua therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, special needs education, an audiologist for hearing assessment, and social welfare for the family. 

The center caters to children aged 0 to 6 years old, with Intellectual Disability, Global Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Speech or Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disorder, Physical Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment/Hearing Loss, Sensory Delays, and cognitive delays.

Pardillo said various disabilities are being catered to in the center, but at present, about 80% of the enrolled have Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

To cater to the children, the facility employs two developmental pediatricians, one audiologist, an aqua therapist, physical therapist, five occupational therapists, a speech pathologist, 15 special needs education teachers, and child care professionals.

The official said the facility will hire a psychologist, nurse, additional occupational therapists, and speech pathologists in the first quarter of the year.

A child can avail services in the center until 7 years of age, depending on the recommendation of the health care professional.

While it is free of charge, the availability of services requires a Certificate of Indigency/low income of parents of the children, which can be accessed through the CSWDO district office, and a certificate of residency from the barangay office.

“Ang atong gi serbisyohan ang kadtong walay kapasidad nga mobayad sa private therapy center ug kadto pung residente sa Davao city,” she stressed.

Pardillo said for this year, the center eyes enhancement in some of the amenities such as roofing of aqua therapy pool to keep its cleanliness; larger area for occupational and physical therapy; and soundproofing for hearing assessment audio room and speech room.

For this year, a P6 million budget is allocated for the facility for implementation of the additional amenities and professionals.

Photo: Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children