The More You Know Phone Bank: PdN Children’s Development Center
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Did you know that for centuries, children with special needs have been marginalized or “hidden away” due to their disabilities? That’s why KTSM is partnering up with the El Paso Del Norte Children’s Development Center to raise awareness within the community.
KTSM will have doctors standing by to answer all your questions at The More You Know Phone Bank: PdN Children’s Development Center.
Tune in at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28 on KTSM 9 News as the PdN Children’s Development Center will be sharing client testimonials, highlighting its newest expansion in East El Paso, conversing with its department’s heads and showcasing ways to give back to our community all from the comfort of your home.
KTSM had the opportunity to get a preview of some impactful testimonies from parents and their children who are current patients at the center. Check this out!
Andres Arvizu
Andres Arvizu is a patient at the center who was diagnosed with autism when he was 20-months old, his mom, Luisa Arvizu explained that one of the “red flags” that made them want to seek help was his feeding problem.
“He has a very strong oral aversion, he doesn’t relate some textures and that’s why he is on a liquid diet. At PdN Childrens, they gave us the opportunity for him to start feeding therapy which has helped him as you can see, touch different food textures,” Luisa Arvizu said.
Vivan Dominguez, Andres Arvizu’s speech pathologist therapist, explains the boy’s progress in the center.
“First time I saw him, Andres came to me still drinking out of a bottle and he had a very difficult time even just sitting at the table tolerating foods. Even mom or dad having food in front of him, they really couldn’t eat because he didn’t tolerate them eating in front of him.” Dominguez said. “The fact that he is sitting in this chair today is such a great feat, and the fact that he is touching foods and interacting with them at various sensory levels… he’s come a very long way.”
Bianca Tarantino
Moving on, Bianca Tarantino is a cochlear implant user, meaning she can’t hear anything in either ear.
“She uses the cochlear implant to have access to sounds. So, with her implant she has good access to sound so that her brain can process what she hears. Then she’s learning how to use these devices to understand what people are saying to her, to use spoken language,” Mary Ceglio, auditory and verbal therapist said.
Bianca Tarantino’s mother, Valeria Tarantino, explains how is like to have two deaf daughters at home.
“Mia, my oldest daughter stated doing therapy with Mary and you can see how she talks perfectly, fluently she is in middle school now. So, with Bianca, we are getting all the help, Mary, the school district Ysleta, all the village to help the girls.” Valeria Tarantino said.
Elias Gonzalez
Elias Gonzalez, a 28-month-old patient, is an active participant at PdN’s Early Childhood Intervention program. Through evaluations and referrals from his pediatrician, Elias Gonzalez started working with Lucy Herrera, his therapist.
“Pediatricians, which often can be the case, will refer families to our program. Once they are referred, then some of our intake will contact the family and the initial evaluation is scheduled.,” Herrera said.
Elias Gonzalez comes to the center to be a part of one of PdN’s playgroups, with other children.
Herrera explains some of the services that are provided not only to the children, but also to the parents.
“We definitely do parent coaching, that’s the specific service that I specialize in. We coach parents with strategies that will help him with developing his sensory skills; sensory-wise, fine motor and gross motor and communication,” said Herrera.
His progress has been progressively great according to his parents, Raquel and Luis Gonzalez.
“We’ve seen a lot of progress because Elias has been in this program for four months, using PdN services. When he got referred, he could only say eight words, and now he can say over 100 words. Between letters, numbers, figures, fruits and vegetables. When it comes to sensory, he used to dislike the feeling of crumbs or anything would annoy him and he would close his fists and he wouldn’t open them. Now, he can play with clay and can get dirty. He doesn’t have a problem with that anymore,” said Raquel Gonzalez.
Evangeline Duran
Evangeline Duran, 17-month-old patient, is one of the newer patients at the PdN Children’s Development Center.
When she was born, according to mom Kristin Duran, she had a seizure and went into septic shock at only 24 hours old. She stopped breathing seven times and sustained brain damage.
Kristin Duran explains how the family moved from Austin to El Paso, to be with family, unknowing the future for Evangeline Duran.
“She started Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) when she was four months old. As you can see, we have this girl who is thriving, and we’ve had amazing experience with the therapy she is in. She’s in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and music therapy. It’s been the best experience and we are so proud of her progress,” said Kristin Duran.
Up until she was eight months old, Evangeline Duran was not able to bear any weight on her arms, not able to press against things, crucial steps for her to be able to crawl, sit and walk.
Now, she has the ability to walk to her mom.
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