Pathways Awareness Foundation

By Amy Nelson, Executive Director of Pathways Awareness Foundation

When Tracy, California resident Kris Zandona adopted her then 9 ½ month old son from Korea, she was advised that he had been receiving physical therapy for weak trunk muscles. Mrs. Zandona quickly brought Kean to an area physical therapist who said that he was "doing everything he was supposed to be doing," and that he did not need or qualify for therapy services.

Kean's parents closely monitored his development, and felt he was not meeting physical or language developmental milestones. Kean entered a local early intervention program when he was approximately two year old, where he received physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. When he turned three years old, early intervention ceased, and Kean entered into a developmental preschool through the public school system. However, Mrs. Zandona was told that Kean no longer qualified for physical therapy services, because his delays were, "not severe enough."

Mrs. Zandona believed that Kean's coordination was still below his peers', and began researching hypotonia on the Internet to locate additional resources. During her search, she located Pathways Awareness Foundation's website. Pathways is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to raising community awareness of the benefits of early detection and early therapy for children with physical differences. Pathways assists both medical professionals and families who have concerns about a child's development.

While on the Pathways Web site, Mrs. Zandona read an article about a family with two daughters who had hypotonia. The story, she said, described the girls' condition, the therapy they received, and the progress they made. She said that the information in the story and on the website validated her feelings that Kean's physical development was delayed, and that she needed to find avenues to help him improve coordination and strengthen his muscles. "Having (the) article made me realize that it (hypotonia) needed to be addressed," said Mrs. Zandona. Mrs. Zandona also called Pathways' toll-free number, which serves as a resource line for parents, and is answered by parents of children with physical differences. In the course of her conversation with the Pathways' parent who had been featured in the article, she learned about activities that she could do with her son to help him, and different resources available in California. Equally important, she said, she received reassurance that the things she was seeing were significant and that her efforts to help him were important to his future. Pathways gave her ideas for "fun things that really help him," said Mrs. Zandona.

Additionally, Pathways' brochure, "Assure the Best for you Baby's Physical Development," has received an approval from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is designed to educate parents and assist medical professionals, includes a growth and development chart highlighting speech, play and physical development milestones from 3 to 15 months of age. This unique tool allows parents to become proactive in tracking their child's development and encourages early treatment for delays.

To receive your free copy of the brochure, or to get more information, call their toll-free number at 1-800-955-2445, email at: friends@pathwaysawareness.org or visit their Web site at: www.pathwaysawareness.org.

Pathways believe early detection is the best prevention.

Reprinted from the October, 15th issue of the California Chapter of the AAP newsletter, News Update