Bela’s Consultation with a Dev Pedia

I made a post here a few months ago about my concern when we transferred Bela to MSS from Toddlers Unlimited. I got a bit concern because judging from the comments made by Bela’s teacher, Bela might have some problems with her attitude and with her inability to sit still (you can read about the teacher’s anecdotal report here and my reaction to the teacher’s report here).

Because of this, I searched the n@w archives to look for recommendations for a Developmental Pedia for consultation. I admit that Bela is really hyperactive and she can really be a handful at times (that is why hubby and I bought Dansko shoes so we will be comfortable while we run after Bela). So we figured consulting an expert will not hurt.

There are just a few Developmental Pedia here in the Philippines so it is difficult to schedule a consultation. I contacted Dr. Dimalanta’s office May 2009 and I was given a schedule for July. Unfortunately, Dr. Dimalanta attended a conference during our scheduled check up so they have to reschedule Bela’s evaluation to August 29.

We waited for two hours before we were called. As soon as Bela enters the room, she greeted Dr. Dimalanta and she answered Dr. Dimalanta when she was asked for her name and age. She immediately sits down to play with the educational toys that are lined up on the table in the middle of the room. Dr. Dimalanta gave her different educational toys (like puzzles, blocks, shape shorter, etc) one at a time and gave her instructions on what to do with it. Bela patiently listened to doctor’s instructions and was able to finish everything (even faster than what Dr. Dimalanta expected).

Dr. Dimalanta also asked me to fill up questionnaires about Bela’s development and answer them as honestly as I can.

Dr. Dimalanta’s evaluation: Bela is potentially gifted as she was able to do things that a normal three year old can’t do (base on the exercises that Dr. Dimalanta asked Bela to do). Base also on the questionnaires that I answered, her development is advance compared to other three years old. But it is also evident that Bela is really hyperactive. He doesn’t want to say that we should worry about ADHD as he doesn’t diagnose patients on first visit and ADHD is usually diagnosed at age 6. Also, he mentioned that since Bela waited for more than two hours already and seeing that she was able to sit still for 45 minutes doing what he asked her to do when ADHD patients would normally throw tantrums already, he said that there i no need to worry. He just gave us recommendations on what we can do at home to modify her behavior and he even recommended Bela to attend occupational therapy twice a week.

We will be visiting an Occupational Therapy Center next week and have Bela evaluated. OT is a behavioral modification therapy which will help lessen her hyperactivity.

I am glad that we consulted Dr. Dimalanta as I can have a peace of mind now.

Dealing with Her Problem

Last week, I had a chance to meet my college friends because it’s been a while since we last hang out together. We decided to go to Serendra and eat our dinner there.

After we finished eating our dinner, we stayed at the restaurant for a while to have a little talk. We talked a lot about our own families as well as our current jobs. Meanwhile, one of my friends asked me about her acne problems because she’s starting to get frustrated and irritated about it. She asked me on how to get rid of acne because it becomes a disadvantage to her especially on her work.

I suggested that she must consult a dermatologist to have a proper treatment for her skin problem. She asked me if I do know a very good dermatologist because she really wants to get rid of her acnes as soon as possible. In fact, she’s willing to spend a lot of money just to cure her acnes.

She already started with her treatments and she’s really hoping that everything will turn out absolutely fine.

Doctor’s Visit

We went to Bela’s pedia this morning for her flu vaccine. Bela is already finished with all her vaccines and boosters so we are just required to go back to her pedia every year for her flu shot or if the need arises (which I’m hoping will not happen).

Bela was having tantrums when her Pedia checked on her which rarely happens since she is so used to going to the doctor for her vaccines. She would even say “lollipop” right after Dr. Sebastian checked on her as this is her pedia’s gift to her patients after giving them there shot.

But this morning, she was already crying right after we step in to her doctor’s clinic and wouldn’t want her pedia to check on her. I don’t know if she is just sleepy or she still has a traumatic memory of her last visit to the dentist. After the doctor gave her a shot, she was saying “Ouchie, ouchie” and dragged her lola out of the clinic.

Poor Bela. Good thing this it is her last shot for this year and we will just come back come March 2009. Hopefully she’s over her trauma by then.

Bela’s Saturday

We’re supposed to go to the Enopi Center in Caloocan to check out their Reading Lab program that they offer for toddlers 2 years old and up. But I just found out when I called Teacher Badeth yesterday that they don’t have a Reading Lab schedule on weekends. We also got lazy to do a make up class at Little Gym for Bela’s absence last Sunday.

And so we just decided to bring Bela to her pediatrician for her last scheduled immunization. Bela fell asleep on our way to Chinese General and so when it was her turn to be check by Dr. Sebastian, she got a little cranky and started to cry when Dr. Sebastian asked her to open her mouth so she can check her throat. And she continued crying when Dra gave Bela her typhoid shot. She only stopped crying when Dr. Sebastian gave her a lollipop.

This is Bela’s last immunization. We just have to go back either first week or middle of March for her annual flu shot and then we just need to go back when Bela turns 4 for her MMR2 and booster.

We’re still not decided yet if we will go with my family to Bulacan tomorrow or just attend Bela’s class at Little Gym. Howell and I are still too lazy for any activity. We’ll see tomorrow.