What are the things to expect during a Developmental Pediatrician visit?
We have visited 3 different Developmental Pediatricians (DevPeds) since Ren was 2 and 10 years old. His first was Dr. Malijan from Manila Doctors, next is Dr.Villadolid also from Manila Doctors and the 3rd one was Dr.Lazaro from Asian Hospital.
To be honest, the reason why I did not stay with just one DevPed is to know if there will be any changes with the report about Ren’s condition, haha honestly, at that time I was still in the denial stage.
The third DevPed was unforgettable for me in a bad way. I don’t want to go into details because I hate remembering all the words he mentioned to me. I met some of his clients and glad that they did not receive bad remarks from him compared to me.
Anyway, a few weeks ago before Ren turned 10, we went to another DevPed. This time the doctor is located at Medical Plaza in Makati. She (Dr.Mich Balloca) was referred to us by Ren’s ABA therapist and some of my close mommy friends.
We were required by his new school to get a latest DevPed evaluation that’s why I looked for one. I scheduled an appointment with her through email last May 4, and the earliest schedule she gave to us was August. That’s normal to all DevPed. They usually give at least 2-3 months waiting time for a schedule. So if you are in a hurry, pray that someone will cancel their schedule.
We arrived early on our given schedule which was 10am. Compared when Ren was still a toddler who was having trouble in waiting, this time he can entertain himself even without gadgets. We waited for almost an hour because doctora had a patient before us.
What are the things to expect during a Developmental Pediatrician visit?
- The DevPed will ask of course your concern why you bring your kid to her. She cannot guess just by looking at your child what the problem is. It’s better to have a list of all your concerns and observations so that you won’t forget any and to help the doctor to evaluate your child accurately.
- The DevPed will ask for your background like how old are you when you got pregnant as well as your husband. She will also ask how you gave birth (is it normal or caesarian operation).
- The DevPed will ask if you know someone in your entire family who was also diagnosed or suspect to have a behavior/development problem. Better to check your family’s background.
- The DevPed will test and observe your child. She’ll do table top activities for younger kids and worksheets for bigger/older kids. She will also do some question and answer tasks.
- Some DevPed can give the report immediately while some take time to finish it. The DevPed will ask for your mailing address, contact number and even email if she will not give the report immediately after the session.
- The professional fee for a DevPed visit ranges from P3,000-P4,000 so better prepare/save for it.
During my time I don’t have any idea on what to expect during a Developmental Pediatrician visit, so I hope that by sharing our experience with you you’ll be able to prepare and know what to do. Good luck!
Hi im a new reader po dito,im a mommy of 4 years old daughter na mama lng po ang kaya nya bigkasin,super busy ako and alm kung napabayaan ko tlga ang anak ko,kya po nghahanap po ako ng devped doctor na makakatulong sna sa ank ko,thank you mga mommies for sharing ur experience po.
I am not sure if you are talking about the same Dr. Lazaro, he has been my son’s behavioral pediatrician since na diagnosed sya last 2004 in UMC-DLSU. I am not disputing po your experience, he is really blunt po and direct but he was one of the reason who made me face the situation head on because he told me I am the pillar that my son can hold on to.
I am very proud po to say that the program that he proposed in coordination po with the OT, ST and SPED teacher (I love them all) helped my son. He is turning 18 next month, grade 11 in a normal stream po.
Occasional kumustahan session na lang po kami.
Just sharing my experience po (FYI po we also visited and had assessments with other behavioral pediatrician). Thank you
grabe momsh yung time na ihihintay mo. Ang mahal din. Nagiisip nadin ako to visit devped for my lo since 2yrs old na sya now palang nagaaral magsalita at nagiging madaldal
Hello,
Thank you for the advise. We have a scheduled visit (1st time) with Dr. Falcotelo in Our Lourdes Hospital by Saturday. I have no idea what to expect and am kind of worried.
Thanks!
Thank you so much sa info mommy levy ang laking tulong talaga.
Hi momy Levy, glad I found your site. Nagpacheck-up lang kami ni LO knina to address his itchy skin sa paa nya,then all of a sudden the pedia doctor (not his pedia tlga) asked his age the sinagot namin na 2.8 yo n si LO then bigla nya sinuggest na magpatingin kami sa DevPed,dahil hindi p nkkpagsalita ng buo si LO,at his age dapat daw 2 words na ang mga nababnggit nya.open naman kami na ipatingin anak namin sa DevPed,gusto ko lang sana humingi ng recommendatiio kung sinong DevPe, sana yung hindi masungit at accomodating.Maraming Salamat in advance.
san po kayo malapit? Si Dr.Balloca ang DevPed ng anak ko, and she’s nice naman
Hi mami levy. Ask ko lng po name ng dev pedia na ngconsult kau mismo for ur son. Salamat
as I have mentioned in my post, it’s Dr.Mich Balloca
Gusto ko ipacheck up ung 4yrs old daughter ko sa devped kasi halatang delay speech niya mga classmate niya straigjt na mag salita o kya nkakapag kwento na kahit papano ,ung anak nkaka pag salita siya pero bulol o kya nman d niya tlga nabubuho ng tama ung sentence pag tinatanomg siya opo lng siya ng opo kahit d niya naiintindihan gustong gusto ko tlga siya ipacheck up kso npaka close minded ng asawa ko dto sa idea ng devped ok nman dw anak nmin nkakapagsalita nman dw kahit papano .
Ako kung nakinig ako sa lahat ng tao sa paligid ko na walang problema sa anak ko, siguro until now di pa din sya nakakapagsalita ng maayos. You need to convince your husband to ask professional help kung may duda ka sa development ng anak mo. Kung walang problema na makita, maganda, kung meron naman dapat matuwa din kayo at nalaman nyo ng maaga para matulungan sya.
Hello! New reader here! Our current DevPed for our twins is Dra. Villadolid but we see her at Manila Med. It’s a bit far from us but we’re happy to make the trip to see her.
Gusto ko sana e pa check anak ko san po kya pwde sya po ay 5yrs.old…hypher po xa.pro matalino madling matuto ngstart po xa mgcount ng numbers 1to 10 tska mg identify ng colors nung 1yr and 9months old..at ngstart xa magbsa ng mga words nung 2yrs.old..ang galing nya sa academics.marunong umintindi ng mga tanong sa testpaper.hnd mhiyain kya lng ung behavior nya minsan.sna my maerecomend po kau kng san pwd..thnx
check the list of DEVPED here – http://mommylevy.com/2013/07/list-of-developmental-pediatricians.html
gusto ko po sanang ipa check ung anak ko ksi tinatamad siyang magsulat s school nila. maliit lng ung time span niya na mkinig sa teacher nila.
Hi mommy levy. I have a bad feedback with Dr. Lazaro as well. I dont want to blurt out the details but as a mom i did not like the way he assess my daughter. For merely 20minutes and for the price tag of 4k i was not very satisfied. Currently my daughter is having her ST in binan. Im hoping she can surpass everything. Goodluck and best regards to your son.
HI mommy joel lazaro po ba name ? ….gusto ko na po kasi ipa check up baby ko 2yrs old na sya ndi pa sya nakakapag salita mama lang…naghahanap po ako na magaling na devPed lalo na po medyo mahal salamat mommy 🙂