SUPPORT A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS in the PHILIPPINES

Perfect Soul Center FUND for SPECIAL NEEDS - SUPPORT-A-CHILD PROJECT will benefit indigent families living with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP) and global developmental delay (GDD) by financing therapy sessions and educational support services for children with special needs (CSN).
Click the DONATE button to support a child with special needs.
Any amount that you contribute will create a tremendous impact on a child's life.
15 USD pays for one therapy session
60 USD pays for 4 therapy sessions |
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Background
There are currently around 1.6 million children below 19 years old with developmental disabilities* in the Philippines.
With self-rated poverty at 46 percent - according to a 2017 survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS), - roughly 800,000 Filipino children with disabilities under 19 years old belong to poor families. Low-income families lack the funds for health care and educational support services.
With self-rated poverty at 46 percent - according to a 2017 survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS), - roughly 800,000 Filipino children with disabilities under 19 years old belong to poor families. Low-income families lack the funds for health care and educational support services.

Children with developmental disabilities require therapies such as occupational therapy (OT), speech language pathology (SLP) and physical therapy (PT). They are also seen by developmental pediatricians, neurologists and other specialists. Special Education services are often sought in order to address their specific educational needs.
Private hospitals and therapy centers in the Philippines offer top quality service but this comes with a hefty price tag. An hour of OT, SLP and SPED session would cost around USD 15 each in the Philippines.
At selected government hospitals, local government centers and public schools, these therapies are offered for free or at more affordable rates.
With the large number of families that line up for these services, these facilities often fail to deliver the prescribed intervention or treatment program for the child with disability. Patients are sometimes seen on rotation basis, giving way to others in order that more could benefit.
With the large number of families that line up for these services, these facilities often fail to deliver the prescribed intervention or treatment program for the child with disability. Patients are sometimes seen on rotation basis, giving way to others in order that more could benefit.

For children in the early intervention stage or with severe disabilities for whom intensive therapy is essential, the waiting period could adversely impact the child’s progress, potentially missing out on the opportunity for a better quality of life.
Supporting children with disabilities (CWDs) during early childhood is crucial. "Good care and development during this time increases their chances of becoming healthy and productive adults and lessening the future cost of education, medical care, and social spending," according to UNICEF Department Representative Julia Rees.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, CWDs require therapy and special education sessions multiple times a week, a situation that the average Filipino family is often not financially prepared to take on.
The Philippine Senate has recently passed a bill providing medical coverage for CWDs. However, the treatment services under this program will only be available at selected government hospitals. It remains to be seen how responsive the program will be given the growing number of children being diagnosed with developmental disabilities.
As a nation with an average corruption rank of 92.09 (1995-2016) according to Transparency International, Filipinos can only hope for government's sustained commitment to programs that support CWDs. A steady flow of funds is necessary in order to successfully run such programs.
The Philippine Senate has recently passed a bill providing medical coverage for CWDs. However, the treatment services under this program will only be available at selected government hospitals. It remains to be seen how responsive the program will be given the growing number of children being diagnosed with developmental disabilities.
As a nation with an average corruption rank of 92.09 (1995-2016) according to Transparency International, Filipinos can only hope for government's sustained commitment to programs that support CWDs. A steady flow of funds is necessary in order to successfully run such programs.

Until this is ensured, nearly 1 million children waiting in line will have to rely on the generous support of friends and strangers who understand the urgency of providing timely therapeutic intervention and educational support for children with developmental disabilities.
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*The top four (4) developmental disabilities in the Philippines are autism spectrum disorder (ASD); attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); cerebral palsy; and global developmental delay (GDD) based on data from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhillHealth)
Perfect Soul Center for Education and Healing, August 2018
15 USD pays for one therapy session
60 USD pays for 4 therapy sessions
60 USD pays for 4 therapy sessions
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