OVERCOMING DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY: LUKA GRADUATES FROM THE DOMAN METHOD® PROGRAM
Doman International is excited to announce the Graduation to Life of Luka from the Advanced Doman Program. In this photo, you can see him on his graduation day with Spencer Doman! Here is his inspiring story:
During the first month of Luka’s life, he was quiet for long stretches of time, and only cried when he was hungry. He didn’t visually track or interact with the environment. As he got older, he had frequent ear infections and needed many antibiotics.
By 2 years of age, grandparents started to notice that his speech was significantly delayed. He did not speak in sentences and just used names of animals or objects. He would laugh for no reason, was fascinated by lights, and engaged in other abnormal behaviors. Parents grew concerned and brought Luka to various doctors and professionals, and at first, they hoped he would “grow out of it”. As it became apparent he was significantly behind other children, he was diagnosed with Developmental Delay.
Parents learned about the Doman Method® when Luka was five years old. They attended the Doman Method Course: From Special Needs to Wellness. At that time, his comprehension and speech were significantly below age level, he engaged in repetitive behaviors, he had sensory hypersensitivities in hearing and tactility, couldn’t read or write, and ate and slept poorly.
After taking the course, they wasted no time in getting started. They began to have Luka crawl and creep to help develop his midbrain -- one of the brain regions affected by his neurodevelopmental delay. They began the Patterning Program to teach him how to move in a coordinated way. Together, these programs began to help him with better cross-pattern movement and improved eye-hand coordination. They started a Doman Method® Reading Program to improve his reading and cognitive development. They implemented an Auditory and Tactile Integration program to improve his sensory processing skills. They had a spectacular Nutrition Program to eliminate problematic foods from his diet that were affecting his health.
Luka started to make rapid developments. Ten months after taking the course, Luka came to Doman International for a Live Evaluation and Programming Visit. After just 10 months of the program, he had learned to read and write! His visual and tactile issues had dramatically improved. He could run much further distance with better stamina. He began hopping on one foot and had better balance and coordination. He spoke in longer and more fluent sentences.
At his most recent Doman International visit for live evaluation in Belgrade, Serbia, Luka has demonstrated remarkable progress. He has recently turned 9 years old, functioning at age-level in all areas of his neurological development. He is now enrolled at school with well children of his age. Luka is quick at learning new information and skills. He loves to read and is learning arithmetic. In his reading level and academic understanding he is often above his age level in his classroom. He can write at age-level. Physically, he can now move in perfect cross-pattern. He runs long distances. He enjoys playing sports and is good at basketball and soccer. Socially, he understands his role in the home and outside. He is making friends in school. He is well aware of time and his daily schedule. Parents are proud to share that he can take care of his little brother responsibly.
Luka and his family have come a long way because of resilience, dedication, and lots of love. Our team is so proud of his hard work, along with his amazing family. He has demonstrated that Developmental Delay can be overcome. He now starts his Graduation to Life, where he joins his peers in school, summer camp and life without any special assistance or help. Doman International is incredibly proud of Luka and his amazing family, and looks forward to hearing his many accomplishments in the years ahead.