Program cares for special children

An open house was held yesterday at the Children’s Development Assistance Center to remind the public that an early intervention service exists on Saipan for infants and toddlers with special needs.

This event is held every year since both the Public School System and the Department of Public Health continue to convince parents to come in and use the available help for their children.

According to Suzanne Lizama, head of the Special Education program of PSS, child find is still a challenge for both agencies.

Currently, there are 47 infants and toddlers who are coming in to CDAC. Another 40 children, ages 3 to 5, attend the other session.

But still officials believe that a number of children needing professional help are not coming in.

At CDAC, which is located in Garapan, early intervention services are available to meet the developmental needs of each eligible child as well as the family.

It extends help on audiology, physical therapy, speech instruction, vision services and other related intervention for children with special needs.

The center believes that infants who are three months old are expected to smile, grab, push arms and make some sounds. By the time they reach 6 months old, they would begin to pick up object, roll both ways and can recognize familiar faces.

At one year old, they would already know a few words.

The present process to enlist infants and toddlers, the center often receives referrals from hospitals and health clinics. A service coordinator is assigned to work on the referral and a team will determine the eligibility. An Individualized Family Service Plan will be drawn up to identify the various services needed by the child.

For example, a physical therapist will work on the child’s development skills affecting movement and function like crawling, sitting, kneeling, standing and walking.

While a speech-language pathologists are the professionals who will deal with communication and related disorders.