Recently in WHAT PARENTS SAY Category

By: Mr. and Mrs. Jose Mojado

The birth of Ryan brought more joy into our lives. After 13 years as a married couple Ryan being our only child helped us to be fulfilled as parents.

Since birth until the age of 2, our little boy was sickly. He was even admitted twice at Brent Hospital because of Asthma. During one of our visits, a physician noticed the difference in our son's attitude. It was disturbing when she shared her observation. Ryan elicits features of Autism.

It took time and a lot of soul searching before my wife and I finally accepted the fact that Ryan needed help. As soon as a neighbor told us about TOGETHER, we immediately went to inquire. The teachers and staff are making a big difference in our son's life. The trainings has made him more responsive and independent. We are surprised that this early he can already understand and follow simple behavioral commands. He can even identify pictures by pointing. We know that the only way to understand and help Ryan is to orient ourselves with seminars and readings on Autism. The seminars that the center conducts have helped us grow as parents. We consider TOGETHER our partner in raising our son.

Nothing is really impossible if we work hand in hand with the help of the Almighty God for miracles do happen every day.

By: Jocelyn Ortega-Tiplani

On July 28, 1997, I gave birth to a chubby baby girl whom I've named JOHAIRA. Rah-Rah as the family fondly calls her, is really an angel. She doesn't cry much and always smiles whenever a member of the family plays with her.

When Rah-Rah was four months old, I would leave her with my parents and her yaya whenever I go to work. She is usually left in her crib with her toys because my parents were quite old that they couldn't play with her. She was only out of her crib during mealtime and when it was time for her bath. This routine continued until she was three years old.

I was a bit surprised when she only started to walk and talk in syllables at the age of 3, but I just told myself it is because she was always in her crib. Whenever we call her, she always gives her sweet smile which means that she is responding. Every time she hears music, she jumps up and down and dances happily. If she wants something, she will come to me or to the other members of the household then she will just point the things she wants. She can already recognize people around her and name some animals and objects like DOG, MIMING (cat) and MOON. But whenever my daughter is with other children, I could see the difference. Her younger cousins can talk in complete sentences while my daughter can only talk in syllables. Then I just told myself that Rah-Rah is a late bloomer.

At the age of five I enrolled her in a nursery school but the teacher commented that she is not ready and that she should be sent to a special school. She manifested behaviors of a child with learning disability. A friend of my sister informed me about TOGETHER which I immediately sought.

It inspired me to know that my little angel has a chance after all. It's been almost a year now since Rah-Rah has been with TOGETHER. I've noticed many developments in my daughter in which I am grateful for. I am so thankful that a center like this has been put up for special angels and most of all to God for giving me hope, for my Rah-Rah is His gift to us.

By: Katrina Cua

Good morning!

I am Katrina Cua, I have a son here since year 2000.

We never noticed wrong with him until he was 2 ½ years old. He was very normal then, like any other baby, he sing , he call his father name by his nickname , watch tv , plays  and interacts with us, Parents , suddenly he retrogressed. He stop talking , he avoid eye contact and he started lining his toys. I became worried. I started questioning friends, doctors, and relatives. One day my mom gave me a copy of a reader's digest where in there was a write-up about children with behavioral problem. It states there that if your child exhibit seven of these symptoms, consult a physicians. My son has only seven so I was in denial stage for a while. Late one evening my husband and I surf the internet on children with behavioral problem. We realized that Kyle has really behavioral problem. At the age 2 ½ we brought him to Manila to a Neuro-Developmental Pediatrician. He was diagnosed to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. We were referred to an Occupational Therapist. Kyle underwent therapy session for 2 mos. Due to back of funds we came home and took with us a home based program. There were no occupational therapists in Zamboanga City during that time so we really had a hard time. I went to all schools looking for a place was Kyle could be accommodated with his special needs. Sad to say there were only 2. The one in Tetuan and Together. I choose Together 

At the age 3 ½ Kyle went on a hunger strike for a period of 30 days. I was beside myself not knowing what to do or how to make him take a little food. He only drink 1oz of water a day. Right before my eyes I could see my son slipping away. He began to loose weight with dark circles under his eyes. Local doctors were hesitant to give Kyle medication since it might trigger depression. So we were advised to have his blood sample sent to a very good doctor in China who specializes in autism. After a week or so. We received the doctors instruction telling us to give 1 drop of amino-acid, gradually increasing. After a month, He saw my brother eating Pringles, and he got a piece. And then, He was on a Pringles diet for a year. As of today, Kyle lives on junk foods. He does not eat rice but takes a lot of juices.

Looking at him, you would not believe he has an eating problem. I would like you to see my son for yourself. (call Kyle).

Thank you!