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Neurodevelopmental Clinic

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Developmental disability has become an emerging health concern but has not been receiving adequate attention. Other countries like Canada and the US have recognized this issue. “Developmental disabilities are a heterogeneous group of related early–onset chronic disorders that share the essential feature of a predominant disturbance in the acquisition of cognitive, motor, language, or social skills, which has a significant and continuing impact on the developmental progress of children”(APA, 1994). When the disturbance exists across all domains and is of early onset, the existence of a global developmentally delayed child (less than 5 years of age), or mental retardation (individual older than 5 years) can be postulated. According to current literature, in the US “developmental disabilities are a group of related chronic disorders of early onset estimated to affect 5% to 10% of children.” (Simeonsson, Sharp, 1992). In Canada, “among children aged 0 to 4, developmental delay is the most common disability. In 2001, nearly 18,000 children with a disability, or 68%, had a developmental delay, representing 1.1% of all children aged 0 to 4.” (Government of Canada, 2001).

Such data on the Bahamas are currently unavailable. In order to provide an estimate however, if we were to extrapolate from these values (from the US and Canada) and apply them to the Bahamas, (a developing country), we would expect 10% of all children under the age of 15 years to have or had some developmental delay. Clearly, this is a public health concern that needs to be addressed.

Providing quality care in a child-friendly environment, our caring, compassionate, dedicated group of professionals with many years of experience is ready and willing to help your child reach his true potential.

BNC’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic is one of the integral service components of our Pediatric Neurology, Neurodevelopmental and Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (PENNDARS) program which allows us to provide early diagnosis and early intervention to children at risk or with neurodevelopmental delays. This program model has been utilized effectively in both public and private sectors in the Bahamas for many years.

3 Steps Developmental Program

First Step 

Comprehensive assessment

  • Provided by multi-discipline Team

  • Diagnostic testing as required,

  • Patient/family education during various therapeutic assessments

  • Family conference to ensure understanding of the various team member findings and recommendations given

  • Creation of developmental passport

 

Second Step

Acute Phase Therapeutic Intervention

  • Your child can either enter into our aggressive one to two-month programs in a single facility where the focus is on both your child and you to provide all the necessary education, basic skills, and support to ensure a goal-oriented continuous sustainable individualized program for optimal growth and development. This phase typically will last one to two years.

  • Alternatively, you have your developmental passport so that your primary care can coordinate care with various therapists. Development Passport including assessments, goals, and appropriate home programs.

 

Third Step

Maintenance Phase Therapeutic Intervention

  • Visits are much less frequent

  • The family's role in consistently implementing home programs is paramount

  • The therapist's role is to intermittently reassess, and set new goals as previous ones are mastered.

  • This phase typically will last many years and requires maximum support, encouragement, and respite for the caregivers who are severely emotionally taxed

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