I have a question to parents of children with developmental delays.
I have an almost 4 yo girl who was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay in sept 2013. We are currently pursuing a delayed entry into prep until 2015 as she is a late June baby, and after being through the same thing with her older brother last year (eventually got a diagnosis of Moderate Autism and I feel that she possible does as well) feel she definitely need more time to mature and develop her vital skills. Due to a nessisary unplanned move to a new location we have been unable to get her into a kindy and daycare at this time is not an option due to waiting periods. She is about to begin speech therapy but they cannot do much due to waiting on hearing analysis as she also has mild conductive hearing loss (that is taking forever as most services do to get organised) and have said that in the meantime she will just have to wait. I am becoming very concerned that the waiting is taking to long (already been 6 months) and I am scared that it's going to have a negative affect on her. (We have been through this before with our son and have seen just how damaging waiting can be and also how wonderful of a difference the right help can make ) she is numer 3 of 5 children so has plenty of interaction, however her speech and emotional frustrations make it hard for them all to get along. My question is what can I do for her to help make the transition easier considering our lack of help if they decide not to delay her entry into prep? And help her development along positively? We already have plenty of "play". Does anyone have any helpful web links on where I can get credible helpful information for in the meantime while I wait for a place in kindy and therapy?
Developmental delay
Wednesday, 9 April 2014 - 12:15
Developmental delay
Posted in:
Aspergers & Autism
3 Replies
Check out the Raising Children Network they have a summary of autism related therapies (which are also great for GDD and as you suspect Autism any way). What state are you in? I would be pushing for an autism diagnosis earlier so you can access Fachsia funding. Hope that was helpful.
I use to work with a girl who had a very severe form plus a range of other things she was 3, in the swimming pool I taught her once a week for half an hour , it was hard but the improvement we saw in 6 months was amazing! And her mum would tell me the improvement she noticed all round , just thought I'd say :) good luck , wish you were on the coast so I could try to help your little girl xxx
Become educated as much as you can. My son started of as development delay but it's now just speech we work on. I've searched and searched and done a speech corse and we got into early intervention but that's not your finall answer. You need to spend the time working on what you need to help him with daily. For example pick small goals everyday and set up games that will help or prompt him. It's a long road but with it being a daily thing you won't get results. It ends up being part of your life and before you realise it your working on things without even trying. Goodluck