Advice needed - Child developmental assessment

[my2angels]

Hi Everyone, I am in need of some serious advice regarding my kid who will turn 3 in Aug. He goes to a playschool at the moment and will start K1 in the new term in Aug. He might have some developmental issues - not very obvious when you first see/interact with him. However, his teacher says he has comprehension and interaction problems. She is unsure if he is just being stubborn or really not understanding her instructions. At the playground, he cannot interact with children his age, and often repeats what we ask him to do. He does recognize colors, shapes, numbers, but even we feel he is far behind children his age or even 6 months younger when it comes to responding/interacting/agility of a toddler. Problem is, he can say things, observe very well on his own, but when we try to strike a conversion he doesn't quite understand what we are saying. Also, he has very high levels of anxiety - separation from me (mom) - he would just want to rub/touch my arm for comfort till he sleeps, doesn't want me to be out of sight even for a moment, he cries when I drop him to the playschool even though he has been going there for a while. We are trying to potty train him but again - he wouldn't say yes or no when I ask him. Though you wouldn't spot the difference when you first meet him or for a short while. Now, we tried going through the public route, even got a filled form by his teacher who has clearly mentioned the problem, but the pediatrician didn't feel (after meeting him) that there is any serious problem. So, even though she has referred us to the Duchess of Kent Childrens hospital in Sandy bay for an assessment, she said it wouldn't happen until the next 6-9 months due to the long queue and since the matter/problem is not very urgent/obvious. We, on the other hand, feel that a clinical intervention as early as possible and doing the necessary therapies can really help - the problem doesn't look very big as of now, but definitely there is a problem. He is visibly behind kids his age, and we don't want that due to this delay he has even more problems in settling in the new school - which is very likely as even now he has a lot of anxiety and instruction comprehension problem in the playschool which is just 2 hrs a day for three days a week. We are now thinking if we should go private and get an immediate assessment. Our biggest problem is the budget - we are an expat family and we need an English based system. We are looking for a clinic which is not very money minded (-to not unnecessarily coax us into money minting therapies) and doesn't cost us a fortune - both for the one time assessment and the regular therapies. Any recommendations ? Any good/bad experiences ? We have just discovered this whole thing as until now we were hoping that our kid will grow out of it eventually, but a family pediatrician (not based in HK) indicated that our kid does need external/clinical support. Any help/names/recos would be very very helpful. Thanks very much.

[OldtimerMum]

Hello!

I have read your message and it really touched me. Wish I could give you a big hug!

First, I think you have done the right thing and registering your son at the Duchess of Kent. This is the best place for therapy. But waiting 6 months for an assessment is too long. I would do it privately, it will be expensive but honestly will be worth it. You will get a diagnosis immediately and you as a family can discuss what steps to take next. I have heard even simple changes to your child's diet can also help.

Here are a few names of Doctors you can consult.

Dr Trodd at Owen Trodd and Partners.

Home

Dr Caleb Knight

Child and Family Centre - Psychological Services for Children and Families in Hong Kong

Hope one of these Doctors can help.

[OldtimerMum]

Once you have done the assessment from the private doctor, i would send the report to the Duchess of Kent and see if they can help schedule the therapies.

[bobqb]

Hi there, I haven't tried any of the expat frequented centres for developmental assessments, but I recently took my son to see Dr. Sylvia Doo. She is a pediatric developmental specialist who speaks perfect english.

Her clinic/assessment centre is in Central: Dr Doo Child Development and Assessment Centre

Regarding fees, hers is $2500/hour. My son is 1.5 years old and his assessment took nearly 2 hours including her discussion with me about my son's history and my concerns. She did a game-based assessment with him for what feels like a really long time (but in reality, might've been 40 minutes or so) and afterwards, sat down with me and explained to me her preliminary assessment/findings/thoughts. She did immediately recommend speech and occupational therapies for my son.

She prepared a full report of the assessment that was ready within 2 weeks. Then I went in again for about 30 mins while she explained more thoroughly and in detail, her assessment and recommendations.

In total, I spent less than $6500 for the assessment and report, which is a lot cheaper than other centres (or so I'd heard).

Do check Dr. Doo's website and see if it's something you'd consider. Best wishes and good on you for being proactive!

[carang]

I've dealt with Caleb Knight in the past with students who have suffered from various learning delays/difficulties. He's not cheap, but very thorough and knowledgeable.

[rani]

Another person you can speak to is Virginia at Spot. She will probably be able to give you some guidance. Spot does assessments as well.


Start here - SPOT

[Sherry5]

Hello my2angels,

I truly and deeply understand wht your are going thru and the feelings .... I am in exact same situation .. believe u me ... how bad u feel when u get a feedback from the teacher...

I was going to start a similar thread and when I read your msg , I thought u spoke my words..
Just that I have a 2.5 year old and goes to school , exact same possessiveness was there but when we introduced a helper... it changed the situation and my baby is getting along with the helper.

Rest all remain same as in your case, understand numbers pictures objects shapes colours animals even rhymes transportation vehicles but his school says he lacks social and emotional skills..
Even we are looking for a similar training center ...
would appreciate your help if you share about any centers u have come across ...

[Sherry5]

Hi there, I haven't tried any of the expat frequented centres for developmental assessments, but I recently took my son to see Dr. Sylvia Doo. She is a pediatric developmental specialist who speaks perfect english.

Her clinic/assessment centre is in Central: Dr Doo Child Development and Assessment Centre

Regarding fees, hers is $2500/hour. My son is 1.5 years old and his assessment took nearly 2 hours including her discussion with me about my son's history and my concerns. She did a game-based assessment with him for what feels like a really long time (but in reality, might've been 40 minutes or so) and afterwards, sat down with me and explained to me her preliminary assessment/findings/thoughts. She did immediately recommend speech and occupational therapies for my son.

She prepared a full report of the assessment that was ready within 2 weeks. Then I went in again for about 30 mins while she explained more thoroughly and in detail, her assessment and recommendations.

In total, I spent less than $6500 for the assessment and report, which is a lot cheaper than other centres (or so I'd heard).

Do check Dr. Doo's website and see if it's something you'd consider. Best wishes and good on you for being proactive!

Dear Bobqb
the information you have shared is indeed a helpful one..
Could you please help me with more info like was it only the assessment they did ?? what is the next step ??
Do they do the training or they just suggest a suitable training for the child ??
Is 6500 u spent only for assessment ??
would appreciate your help in understanding the process ....
Thankyou in advance ..