THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 2, 1997 TAG: 9701310054
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Imperfect Navigator
SOURCE: Alexandria Berger
LENGTH: 69 lines
AT 3 MONTHS of age, Timmy seemed different. He didn't smile. He didn't try to move. At 6 months, Timmy had trouble turning over. Timmy's mother thought something was wrong. Their pediatrician waited. At 18 months, Timmy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Should Timmy's pediatrician have done something sooner?
``Not necessarily,'' says Dr. Amy Pakula.
Developmental disabilities encompass problems such as learning, disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and mental retardation, as well as cerebral palsy.
These are the types of illnesses children have because of differences in their neurological systems. These are not diseases one catches. They are there from birth. Sometimes accurate diagnosis must wait until an infant is older and fails to pass certain milestones in development.''
Pakula should know. Now at the Marcus Center at Emory University in Atlanta, she is a specialist in recognizing developmental disabilities in infants and young children and has devised a program for early therapy and treatment. Stimulation is paramount.
At birth, a baby's brain starts to run a race. The gun has gone off, and - wham! - action begins. The first year is critical for development. All babies don't reach the finish line at the same pace.
``After determining there is a problem,'' Pakula notes, ``we ask ourselves: Is there a known underlying cause? Is there a possibility of treating it? Would this change the outcome? Causes such as a muscle disease, a nutritional problem, genetic disorder, metabolic problem or even social deprivation can hamper development.
``Then we look at the therapeutic interventions that can maximize a child's potential. Everything from physical therapy to behavior management come in to play. Continual re-evaluation is critical. Children change. Teaching parents how to interact with their developmentally delayed child is imperative.''
Think of the Romanian orphans we have seen deprived of environmental stimulation, rocking or catatonic in their cribs. Without activity, toys, human touching, speech, the brain's development retards. The adage applies: Use it or lose it.
``Additionally,'' adds Dr. Pakula, ``many children today are being born premature and surviving. We are seeing children who need to be taught to take food by mouth, chew and swallow. These infants are at an increased risk of vision and hearing impairment due to just being premature.''
A parent should discuss concerns about their infant when they first notice them. Don't wait. If the pediatrician agrees that there are delays, it's time to involve a specialist, including a pediatric neurologist. What happens if you notice something wrong and your pediatrician thinks everything is just fine? Get another opinion. Immediately.
New research shows that during the first year of life, the brain is like putty. Children experiencing damage to their brains after birth show they can still `recoup' the loss and develop.
``The time frame for intervention in an infant is different than in an adult,'' Pakula stresses. ``Parents are their child's advocate throughout life. A developmental problem is not something you can correct or cure. It's something you work with in order to compensate for a deficit. A developmental disability lasts a lifetime. The key is to devise an alternative route in helping a child achieve goals.''
Get help through your pediatrician or write to me for the university medical center specialist nearest you. Access to treatment can lift your child from a life of delayed development and devastating disability to a life of reached potential. MEMO: Write to Alexandria Berger, c/o The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W.
Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 23510.