In November of last year, a close friend of mine who’s also a doctor, reached out to me and suggested that we should have Jazmine (my eldest daughter) assessed by a doctor as soon as possible because he noticed, from a recent get together at home with our HS friends, that she was showing signs of delay in developmental milestones. We acknowledged it and thanked him for his genuine concern because like him, we also noticed those signs. He said that not all parents are open minded like us about things like this and sometimes are in denial that their kids have special needs or have a hard time accepting that kind of feedback from others.
Teacher Chie (Jaze’s Kindergarten teacher) also suggested the same for they noticed some developmental delays in her like her constant need of one-to-one support when doing tasks or tests.
I started asking my friends and family about dev pedias and hospitals or clinics that does developmental assessments. I made some calls and inquiries via chat: however, I found out that the waiting queue to get an available schedule was six-months long.
Then some time in May, my sister told me about a clinic in BGC where we can have Jaze assessed and luckily, we got a June appointment right away. We paid Php 5,500 for the DevPed Consultation fee.
Jazmine, at 7 years old, was then diagnosed with Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in her first hour-long developmental pediatrician visit.
At first, we were sad about her diagnosis but we did not feel hopeless. With prayers, love and support from our family and friends, we know we can face this challenge and we’ll be with Jazmine every step of the way.
Living with autism, whether as an individual on the spectrum or as a parent of an autistic child, presents unique challenges and rewards. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how a person perceives and interacts with the world around them, often leading to differences in communication, social skills, and behavior patterns.
For individuals with autism, daily life can be a complex navigation of sensory experiences and social interactions. Many find comfort in routines and may have intense interests in specific subjects. While these traits can lead to exceptional abilities in certain areas, they can also make adapting to change and understanding unwritten social rules challenging. Sensory sensitivities may cause ordinary environments to feel overwhelming, requiring careful management of stimuli.
Parents raising an autistic child face a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial, often involving therapies, educational support, and lifestyle adjustments. Each child’s needs are unique, requiring a personalized approach to care and education. Parents must become advocates, navigating healthcare and educational systems to ensure their child receives appropriate support.
The emotional impact on families can be significant. Celebrating small victories becomes paramount, as developmental milestones may be reached differently or later than expected. Siblings may need extra attention and education about their brother or sister’s needs. Extended family and friends may not always understand the challenges, leading to feelings of isolation for some families.
However, life with autism is not defined solely by challenges. Many individuals with autism and their families report profound personal growth, increased empathy, and a unique perspective on life. Neurodiversity advocates emphasize the value that different ways of thinking and perceiving bring to society.
As awareness grows and support systems improve, many with autism are finding greater acceptance and opportunities to thrive. While the journey may be different from what was initially expected, it often leads to a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways humans experience and contribute to the world.
Grade 1 Reading Activity
She is currently attending public elementary school while we are still looking for a nearby and reliable Occupational Therapist. This week, aside from our regular reading exercises at home, she also started doing their class’ daily reading activity for Grade 1 under the MATATAG Curriculum. With consistent practice and encouragement, her reading skills in English and Filipino both improved. We are always proud of her accomplishments.
In school, she shows good behavior most of the time (as long as she’s well fed and well-rested para iwas tantrums 😅), and as usual, she loves to draw ponies from My Little Pony on whatever paper she gets her hands on. I found her new pad paper and some of her notebooks with multiple pony drawings already. 😆 Kaya ayun we’re planning to enroll her in a face-to-face art classes this year. 🎨👩🎨
