SpecialNeeds.com

Dear Developmental Doc:
When our daughter was 10 months old, she contracted a rare form of cancer. Her doctors advised us that her only chance at survival was intensive chemotherapy. We were also advised as to the risks, including the possibility of developmental delays, but felt we had no choice in order to save our daughter’s life. Today, she is a healthy 6 year old. The chemotherapy did impact her development, particularly in the areas of how to make and keep friends and in academic achievement. Do you have any suggestions as to how to help her?
Ellen W., Calabasas. 

Dear Ellen,
Research has shown that pediatric cancers tend to be very receptive to chemotherapy. Consequently, many families find themselves navigating the implication of cancer survivorship, including learning delays and compromised social skills. Here are some suggestions to help your daughter in these areas:

1) Ask your child’s physician for the name(s) of parent support groups, which can provide resources of developmental specialists who work with children and their families recovering from cancers.

2) Non-profit foundations such as THINK AGAIN provide funds for families to help get their children developmentally based treatment regiments. They may cover the cost (either partially or in total) of clinic based interventions that can supplement school interventions, include mental health support (social skills groups, individual as well as family therapy), educational therapy, vision therapy, occupational/physical therapy and when applicable speech and language support.  

3) Go to your child’s local public school and ask for an individual educational plan (IEP). A team of school-based professionals will evaluate the degree to which your daughter is unable to access her curriculum due to the nature of her disability. She may be eligible under the category of “other health impaired.”  If eligible, she would be able to receive school-based support services including social skills. She might also be able to access various educational benefits including modification of classroom demands, an aide in the classroom, and occupational therapy tools to be used during class as a way to encourage learning.

These are but a few suggestions to support your daughter on the journey of her recovery.

Esther B. Hess, Ph.D. is a developmental psychologist and executive director of a multidisciplinary treatment facility in West Los Angeles, Center for the Developing Mind. For more information and/or to contact Dr. Hess please visit the Center for the Developing Mind’s web site at www.centerforthedevelopingmind.com.