Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 1/31/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Valerie, I know you can help me.  I am an Indonesian.  My 4 year girl is diagnosed with PDD NOS. She is now on ABA therapy and learning to speak 2 words. She can understand simple instructions. Worries for her future, we are seeking to find the best for her.  Knowing the States offers better facilities and protection for them, we are considering to migrate to the States by the end of the year.  Valerie, please advice us what are the necessary steps we should take for my girl? We have not decided which part of the States we are going to live.  My husband's parents and families mostly live in Los Angeles.  Does my girl need to attend regular schools or a special school?  Since therapy is expensive, how can we ask for government subsidy? And Valerie, since she understands only Indonesian language will she be upset if the therapy have to start all over again in English.  Please advice us.  Hope to hear from you soon. God bless you.

ANSWER: Hi Elisabeth

I think you will find the Los Angeles area to have wonderful options for your daughter. They are at the forefront of all therapies and schooling. As the time approaches, contact me at:
info@valerieherskowitz.com and I will help to guide you.

Yes-she will need to learn to speak in English. I live in Florida and do not know of how the Medicaid program works in California, but you will need to apply.Try to get an autism label rather than the PDD-NOS as autism receives more funding.

She will attend special programs since she appears to have a significant developmental delay.

Write me as the time gets closer. Meanwhile, you can check out some of my classes on my website that you can watch on your computer.

www.valerieherskowitz.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Valerie, thanks for your offers to help. We will definitely write to you when it is close the time.  Valerie, I have a question with regards to my girl's diet.  We are very concerned with her weight.  Daily she eats four meals which includes white rice, meat(fish,beef, duck,and lamb)and green leafy vegetables.  She always empties her plate and she also drinks fruit juices daily. But her weight remains constant at 13 kilos (she is four years old).  She also takes multivitamins, Probio, calcium, TMG, Cod liver oil, and Nu Thera.  Her father is really concerned with her weight.  We had also discussed this with her doctor but she advised us not to worry.  Please advice us.  Thank you Valerie. God bless.

Answer
Hi Elisabeth

If I were you, I would recommend seeing a gastrointerologist. Many of our children have GI issues. Sometimes, children do not digest foods well. You may need to look into some digestive enzymes to help. I am not a doctor, so I can't give you any medical advice, but these are just some ideas that I know others have tried. Let me know