Child Protection Peru Project #28463

Change mindset of a physically disabled child Peru

by Asociacion Centro de Rehabilitacion para Personas con Discapacidad Wasi Esperanza

Change mindset of a physically disabled child Peru

Project Report | Sep 24, 2026
Every Gesture Counts

By Ricardo Prada | Psychologist

When Paolo wants to say he needs help, he touches his elbow.

When Roslyn hears a familiar voice, she turns her head to find where it is coming from.

These small gestures might go unnoticed by many people. But to their families and the team at Wasi Esperanza, they mean something much greater: I am here. I want to connect with you. I want to be understood.

At Wasi Esperanza, we support children with disabilities and their families through care that helps children strengthen their abilities, gain independence and develop their potential.

Every child comes to us with a different story. Some need to find new ways to communicate. Others need support with movement, social skills or confidence in their surroundings. They all have abilities waiting to be discovered.

Paolo: When a Gesture Becomes a Voice

Paolo is 10 years old and lives with severe cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability.

For a long time, expressing what he felt or needed was difficult. His thoughts, wishes and emotions were there, but sharing them with others required a different approach.

At Wasi Esperanza, we know that communication does not always require words.

Through psychological support and close work with his family, we began to recognize Paolo’s own signals. A movement, a sound or a gesture began to carry meaning.

Today, Paolo can express messages such as “I want,” “help,” “yes,” “no” and “let’s go” through ways of communicating developed together with the people who support him.

Every gesture is an achievement. When a child can express a need, he gains more than a way to communicate: he gains independence, opportunities to participate and a more active role in his own life.

Roslyn: First Steps into a World of Discovery

Roslyn is a year and a half old and was born with Down syndrome. She receives specialized support to strengthen her abilities and reach new developmental milestones.

When she began attending Wasi Esperanza, she needed support with some of her motor milestones and early communication skills.

With sensory activities, family involvement and consistent support, Roslyn began to show encouraging progress. She learned to turn toward sounds, explored textures she enjoyed, developed greater postural strength and began making sounds to communicate.

Her first expressions, such as “ma” and “pa,” were more than sounds. They were the first messages from a little girl finding her own way to connect with the world.

Every Small Step Matters

Paolo and Roslyn are different ages and face different challenges. Their stories are their own, but both remind us that every child has potential worth supporting.

At Wasi Esperanza, we believe that disability does not define what a child can achieve. The right tools, timely support and a community that believes in them can make a meaningful difference.

Behind every step forward is a family holding on to hope, a team supporting the child’s progress and a community making room for inclusion.

A new word. A different movement. A searching glance. A way to say, “I need something.”

To some, these may seem like small details. To the children and families we work with, they are enormous victories.

At Wasi Esperanza, our goal is to support children as they discover what they can do, while valuing who they already are.

Every step forward matters. Every family deserves support. And every small achievement can become a great victory.

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May 29, 2026
Internal Changes and Strengthened Self-Esteem

By Liseth Anaya | Psychologist

In the care of children with physical, adaptive, or neurodevelopmental difficulties, the focus is often placed solely on observable limitations. However, behind every motor, sensory, or functional difficulty, there is also an emotional world that directly influences how children learn, relate to others, and build their identity. At Wasi Esperanza, we strive not to overlook either aspect, and thanks to this approach, we are able to create a meaningful impact on our patients.

Mary’s case highlights the importance of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and long-term intervention. When she began the therapeutic process, she presented several presumed physical conditions identified through physiotherapy, including flat feet, shoulder asymmetry, right-sided head tilt, and mild hypotonia. In addition, she experienced significant visual difficulties, whose cause was initially unknown. With proper diagnosis, it was determined that she had astigmatism and hyperopia, both of which interfered with her daily activities and functional performance. The incorporation and consistent use of glasses represented a significant improvement in her overall functioning, an achievement made possible through family guidance and awareness work, especially with her mother.

From the psychological evaluation, emotional and adaptive indicators of vulnerability were observed that affected her psychological well-being. She showed a tendency to internalize problems, low emotional tolerance toward correction, difficulties with self-control, and alterations in functional communication that impacted her daily interactions. Likewise, certain adaptive skills were found to be at risk, limiting her personal safety and her ability to cope independently in certain situations.

These characteristics not only influenced her academic and social performance, but also affected the way she perceived herself and her sense of self-worth. Insecurity, anxiety, overthinking, and the tendency to magnify conflicts progressively impacted her self-esteem and the way she related to her environment.

Nevertheless, the therapeutic process was not focused solely on identifying difficulties. It also allowed for the recognition and strengthening of valuable personal resources that were already present in Mary Cielo: preserved social skills, adaptability, interpersonal sensitivity, and remarkable resilience in the face of adverse experiences.

Throughout the weekly interventions, work focused on strengthening self-esteem, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-awareness, and personal security. At the same time, family guidance was provided to encourage healthier dynamics within the home, reducing inappropriate emotional burdens placed on the child and promoting more conscious and functional parenting practices.

Over time, the changes became evident. Mary developed greater self-confidence, improved her concentration, increased her ability to express needs and emotions, and began to face social situations with greater confidence. Significant progress was also observed in her ability to defend her personal boundaries in situations involving mockery or invalidation within the school environment.

Currently, from the psychology department, she has been discharged due to the significant progress observed throughout the nearly eight-month intervention process. Although there are still areas that can continue to be strengthened in her development, her emotional and adaptive indicators show substantial improvement compared to the beginning of the intervention. As a result, and considering her age and her proximity to puberty, she will continue to receive periodic follow-up through scheduled home visits.

Cases such as Mary’s remind us that child care should not be limited solely to treating symptoms or isolated diagnoses. Emotional development, adaptive functioning, family dynamics, and timely access to basic support and medical diagnoses can profoundly transform a child’s quality of life.

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Jan 20, 2026
Milestones of Hope

By Liseth Anaya | Psychologist

Hay historias que no se pueden medir a través de diagnósticos definitivos, sino a través de pequeños pero significativos logros que transforman una vida.

Gino Alexis, de 12 años, llegó con dificultades de conducta y agresividad significativa, sin un diagnóstico claro. Su madre lo acompañaba con una incertidumbre constante que, a menudo, pesaba más que cualquier diagnóstico clínico. Desde el servicio de psicología, se consideró oportuno intervenir primero con ella, entendiendo que si su angustia emocional seguía intensificándose, poco se podría avanzar en la mejora de Gino sin antes apoyar su bienestar.

Durante varios meses, se atendió el duelo que experimentaba , un duelo arraigado en un diagnóstico abrupto e incierto que recibió cuando Gino tenía menos de cuatro años. El temor persistente por el futuro de su hijo, sumado a los continuos conflictos familiares, había erosionado gradualmente su autoestima. Los meses de apoyo psicológico le sirvieron para recordarle que ella también importa, que no está sola y que cuidar a otro a menudo requiere aprender a cuidarse a sí misma .

Mientras su madre mostraba una mejoría psicológica, Gino continuó con fisioterapia para apoyar la regulación sensorial y la función motora. Su cuerpo parecía desorganizado, su procesamiento sensorial alterado y su lenguaje muy limitado . También se notaba que tenía poco control sobre la salivación. El trabajo terapéutico con él no fue inmediato ni sencillo; fue un proceso gradual que requirió constancia y la participación activa de su madre.

Para reducir su agresividad , el servicio de psicología implementó un enfoque gradual, lo que permitió a Gino familiarizarse con el espacio terapéutico y no percibirlo como una amenaza. Se utilizaron canciones y objetos de su preferencia para facilitar la conexión y generar confianza. Para estimular el lenguaje, que era casi inexistente , se incorporaron herramientas orofaciales, como pequeñas paletas y cuentas, junto con movimientos faciales suaves, ejercicios de apertura y cierre de la boca, actividades de movilidad lingual y estimulación sensorial para activar respuestas que su cuerpo aún no podía iniciar de forma independiente.

Al principio, Gino babeaba constantemente y se resistía, quejándose durante estos ejercicios. Sin embargo, gracias a la constancia de su madre al practicar a diario y dentro de los plazos indicados , se adaptó gradualmente. Hoy, Gino controla la deglución y responde positivamente a diversos estímulos. Además, su comportamiento agresivo ha disminuido significativamente; ahora sonríe y puede mostrar afecto, incluso ofreciendo abrazos cuando quiere.

Junto con estos logros llegó algo aún más significativo: comenzó a producir sonidos más claros . Sonidos que, de alguna manera, nos comunican que está aquí, presente, aprendiendo y avanzando. Y aunque para muchos esto pueda parecer un pequeño paso, para su madre representó un hito, una señal de esperanza y la prueba de que el progreso es posible. Hoy, no hablamos de una cura; hablamos de regulación, de conexión y de una esperanza real. Hablamos de una madre más tranquila y de un niño que logró lo que antes parecía imposible.

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