Hi. My 21-month old son was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay with prominent sensory integration issues. He doesn't talk, doesn't seem to understand language, he doesn't imitate, he doesn't request (he just cries), he toe-walks, he likes watching TV upside down (his head on the mattress and his feet in the air), he's hyperactive, he doesn't react to sound all the time, he has poor balance and his gait is broad-based. On the other hand, he's very affectionate, he recognizes people, he can anticipate tickling, he remembers where some of the stuff he likes to play with are, he's very curious and he's even-tempered.

I took him to an OT and we were told that he has SPD. He was given a sensory diet which doesn't seem to work. I'm from a country where services for and resources about special needs people are scarce and expensive. We have been bleeding money since my son's diagnosis and now we're all out. We stopped going to the OT because we can't afford his services anymore. On top of that, we haven't even started PT yet because all the money we had was spent on the OT.

I envy those who live in places where the government provides care for special needs people. Where I live, people like my son don't stand a chance. I've resigned myself to the possibility that he'd never talk and never live a normal life.