The government of Barangay San Antonio in Pasig City, in partnership with the Special Olympics Pilipinas (SOP) organization, launched a program providing free early intervention assessments to children with developmental disabilities.

The program is part of the Young Athletes' Program, operating under the barangay’s Project C.A.R.E. (Children’s Access to Responsive Evaluation) intended for the “proper diagnosis and early intervention of children with developmental needs.”

Around 20 children will undergo assessment sessions every week. It targets to cover a total of 133 children aged three years old and above, particularly those included in the barangay’s Child Development Center.

Through the program, the children will have accessible and affordable sessions, which normally can cost around P5,000 to P12,000 per session.

These sessions consist of the children playing interactive games and activities suited to their respective needs to enhance their communication and social skills.

Established in the United States of America in 1968, SOP focuses on offering "sports training and competitions catered to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities."

The organization will help provide volunteer doctors, mental health and developmental experts, as well as coaches to cater to the children's needs.

BSA Chairman Raymond U. Lising and other barangay officials created the program in accordance with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Council for the Welfare of Children, and the National Youth Commission’s call to strengthen mental health efforts and services for kids.

SOP National Director Kaye Samson, a Psychology graduate and Special Education (SPED) teacher for 23 years, said Chairman Lising and his team asked for help from the organization since they've noticed there were many children with special needs in Barangay San Antonio.

She said she has spoken to teachers who have confirmed there are many children in the barangay who may have hyperactivity sensory disorders, sensory challenges, or other sensory issues, particularly those who do not want to be touched or have difficulty focusing.

A priority of the program is to help the children establish "a normal life despite developmental disabilities being incurable."

"Developmental disabilities or developmental disorders are challenges but not diseases. It's not curable, but you can develop, you can intervene. Managing lang (We can manage it)," said Samson.

"If walang intervention, maapektuhan siya. Lalaki siyang hindi mama-maximize 'yong potential niya. Lalaki siyang ibu-bully ng ibang tao kasi hindi siya makapag-sit down o hindi siya marunong makipag-usap sa ibang bata. Lalaki siyang hindi confident sa sarili niya, insecure (The children will be affected if there is no intervention. They will grow up not maximizing their full potential. They'll grow up bullied by people because they can't stay seated or they don't know how to speak with other kids. They'll grow up insecure and not confident in themselves)," she explained.

These kinds of disorders see no social status and can affect both privileged and underprivileged sectors, Samson added.

The program was launched in line with National Children’s Month (NCM).

The country celebrates National Children’s Month every November as declared by Republic Act No. 10661. It coincides with the commemoration of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly of 1989.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ““Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!” calling for public action and support for children’s mental health and wellbeing.