Considered among the “new” morbidities in medical circles, developmental disorders are rising in prevalence, and can be particularly challenging because they are often hereditary and lifelong conditions, which may be potentially debilitating and life-altering when left unaddressed.

Medical science has come a long way in broadening our understanding of developmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and the like, but the stigma associated with such conditions often makes early identification and intervention elusive. The lack of treatment options in the Philippines has not helped.

With these concerns in mind, the Progress Child Development Center was established. “We have always tried to be a company responsive to the needs of our community, and because developmental disorders have emerged as a largely unaddressed issue, we felt it was time to step up,” says Marco Protacio, president of Protacio Medical Services, which owns and operates the Protacio Hospital, of which the pilot Progress Child Development Center is a part.

Due to the stigma associated with them, the default response of most parents to developmental disorders is denial; this is true even among the more enlightened in any society.

Early detection is crucial in addressing developmental disorders. Dr. Rochelle Buenavista -Pacifico, head of Developmental Pediatrics at Progress Center for Child Development, explains, “We can never overemphasize the importance of early intervention, especially during the first three years of life when brain development is most sensitive and responsive to targeted intervention.”

Early detection is the key to designing an intervention which considers factors such as the severity and extent of the disorder, the variety of the disorder, the natural course that it may take, and ultimately the uniqueness of every human being.

Progress offers developmental pediatrics, child psychiatry, occupational therapy, speech therapy and SPED tutorial services.

Progress Child Development Center is at 7/F, Protacio Hospital, 484 Quirino Avenue, Tambo, Parañaque City.