A TEAM from the World Pediatric Project(WPP) on Wednesday wrapped up a four day Speech and Language Therapy Mission at the Helping Hand Center, New Montrose. Mission leader, Dr. Miriam Kerr and her team were supported by local pediatric neurologist, Dr. Mishka Duncan-Adams which also comprised a number of speech pathologists with varied specializations. They included cleft lip and palate specialist, Miriam Kerr; autism behavior specialist, Melissa Ruge; augmented communication and non-verbal specialist, Wendi McMillan; and language articulation specialist, Perry Flynn . Also accompanying the team is WPP’s managing director of emerging opportunities, Ross Silkman.

With this being WPP’s fourth mission for the year, it takes a different approach from the previous three surgical teams, a release from the organization states. This team concerned itself with problems of vocal challenges, speech delays, articulation, behavioral, and adjustment issues.

It also addresses cleft lip and palate concerns including follow-up therapy, as well as children with speech delays or non-verbal communication attributable to autism.

Close to 100 were seen by the mission and given the support they need.

The release noted that an important role in helping families access the care that is needed for their children is to advocate strongly against stigma and discrimination towards children with disabilities or health conditions.

“We encourage our parents, whose children may need that special support, to reach out to us at WPP or to Dr. Mishka Duncan- Adams at the Milton Cato [Memorial] Hospital to get on to the program,” the organization urged in its release.