Health Guides
Know before
you go.
Practical guides to navigating healthcare in the Philippines — from choosing clinics and understanding costs to insurance tips.
Health Guides
Practical guides to navigating healthcare in the Philippines — from choosing clinics and understanding costs to insurance tips.
272 articles
![Autism vs ADHD in Children: How to Tell the Difference [Philippines Guide 2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fautism-vs-adhd-children.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Autism and ADHD are both neurodevelopmental conditions that often look similar in young children but are different at their core. **Autism (ASD)** primarily affects **social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors**. **ADHD** primarily affects **attention, impulse control, and activity level**. A child with autism may struggle with eye contact, pretend play, and social back-and-forth. A child with ADHD may be highly social but unable to sit still, focus, or wait their turn. Many children have **both conditions at the same time** — research shows 30-50% of autistic children also meet ADHD criteria. Only a **developmental pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or child psychologist** can make a proper diagnosis. Both conditions benefit from early intervention.
![Occupational Therapy for Autism in the Philippines: Cost, Benefits & Clinics [2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Foccupational-therapy-for-autism-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Occupational therapy (OT) for children with autism in the Philippines costs **₱700-₱2,500 per session** at most clinics, with premium providers charging **₱2,500-₱3,500 per session**. Most children need **1-3 sessions per week**, putting monthly costs at **₱8,000-₱35,000**. OT for autism focuses on **sensory integration**, **fine and gross motor skills**, **daily living skills** (dressing, toileting, feeding), and **emotional regulation**. Government hospitals and university clinics offer OT for **₱100-₱600 per session**. A licensed **occupational therapist (OTRP)** evaluates and designs the therapy plan. The best-equipped OT clinics in Metro Manila have dedicated sensory gyms with swings, climbing equipment, and specialized tools.
![Speech Therapy for Kids with Autism: Cost & Top Centers in the Philippines [2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fspeech-therapy-for-autism-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Speech therapy for children with autism in the Philippines costs **₱600-₱2,500 per session** at most clinics, with premium providers charging **₱2,500-₱4,000 per session**. Most children need **1-3 sessions per week**, putting typical monthly costs at **₱8,000-₱40,000**. Speech therapy for autism often involves more than just "learning to talk" — it addresses social communication, pragmatic language, augmentative communication (PECS, AAC devices), and feeding. Licensed speech-language pathologists (SLP-PH) in the Philippines are usually trained at UP, Ateneo, or abroad. Government hospitals and university clinics offer sessions for **₱100-₱600**, though with long waits.
![ABA Therapy Cost in the Philippines [2026 Complete Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Faba-therapy-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in the Philippines costs **₱800-₱2,500 per session** at most centers, with premium programs charging **₱2,500-₱4,000 per session**. Most children need **10-40 hours of therapy per week**, putting typical monthly costs at **₱30,000-₱200,000+**. Intensive early intervention programs (20-40 hours/week) cost **₱80,000-₱300,000 per month**. PhilHealth does not cover ABA. Some HMO plans cover limited sessions. Less expensive alternatives include parent-mediated ABA, group sessions, and NGO-subsidized programs. The highest-quality providers in Metro Manila include Bridges Foundation, Center for Possibilities, ILLC, and Therapy Tree.
![Developmental Pediatricians in the Philippines: Where to Get Your Child Evaluated [2026 Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fdevelopmental-pediatrician-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
A **developmental and behavioral pediatrician** (DevPed) is the primary specialist who diagnoses autism, ADHD, global developmental delay, and learning disabilities in Filipino children. There are roughly **80-100 DevPed fellows in active practice** across the Philippines, concentrated in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Consultation fees range **₱2,500-₱5,500** and waitlists at top clinics run **2-6 months**. The most established programs are at Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children's Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke's, The Medical City, Asian Hospital, and Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Book early and, if possible, waitlist at multiple clinics simultaneously.
![Autism Assessment Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fautism-assessment-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
A full autism assessment in the Philippines costs **₱10,000-₱30,000** at most private clinics, and up to **₱50,000+** for comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluations at premium hospitals. An initial developmental pediatrician consultation costs **₱2,500-₱5,000**. Government hospitals offer evaluations for **₱500-₱3,000** but have 3-6+ month waitlists. PhilHealth does **not** currently cover autism evaluations. Some HMO plans cover limited developmental consultations but rarely full testing. The lowest-cost option is a government teaching hospital; the fastest is a hospital-based private developmental pediatrician.
![Signs of Autism in Toddlers: Early Warning Guide for Filipino Parents [2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fsigns-of-autism-in-toddlers-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
The earliest signs of autism in toddlers usually appear between **12 and 24 months**. Red flags include **no eye contact, no response to name by 12 months, no pointing or waving by 14 months, no single words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, loss of previously acquired words or skills, repetitive movements (hand flapping, spinning, rocking), intense focus on specific objects, and unusual sensory reactions.** If you notice two or more of these signs, schedule a developmental assessment with a **developmental pediatrician**. Early intervention before age 3 dramatically improves outcomes. In the Philippines, a full autism assessment costs **₱10,000-₱30,000** depending on the clinic.
![Hair Transplant Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fhair-transplant-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Hair transplant in the Philippines costs **₱80,000-₱300,000** depending on the technique and number of grafts. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) costs ₱100,000-₱250,000. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) costs ₱80,000-₱200,000. Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) costs ₱150,000-₱300,000. Prices are typically **₱25-₱80 per graft**. Most patients need 1,500-3,500 grafts. Top providers include Svenson Hair Centers, Philippine Hair Transplant Center, Hair Revolution, and cosmetic surgery departments at hospitals like [The Medical City](/clinic/the-medical-city).
![Laser Hair Removal Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Flaser-hair-removal-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Laser hair removal in the Philippines costs **₱1,500-₱15,000 per session** depending on the body area and clinic. Underarm laser hair removal costs ₱1,500-₱4,200. Bikini area costs ₱3,000-₱7,000. Full legs cost ₱8,000-₱15,000. Most patients need **6-10 sessions** for lasting results. Top clinics include [Belo Medical Group](/clinic/belo-medical-group-bgc), Flawless Face & Body, [SkinStation](/clinic/skinstation), Wink Laser Studio, and [Simply Skin](/clinic/simply-skin).
![Hemorrhoid Treatment Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fhemorrhoid-treatment-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Hemorrhoid treatment in the Philippines costs **₱500-₱100,000** depending on the severity and treatment type. Topical medications cost ₱500-₱3,000. Non-surgical procedures (rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy) cost ₱5,000-₱15,000. Hemorrhoidectomy surgery costs ₱15,000-₱80,000+. Laser hemorrhoidectomy costs ₱40,000-₱100,000. **PhilHealth covers hemorrhoid surgery starting at ₱12,000** case rate. Top hospitals include [Cardinal Santos Medical Center](/clinic/cardinal-santos-medical-center), [Makati Medical Center](/clinic/makati-medical-center), and [The Medical City](/clinic/the-medical-city).
![Therapy & Counseling Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Ftherapy-counseling-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Therapy and counseling in the Philippines costs **Free-₱5,000+ per session** depending on the provider. Psychiatrists charge ₱2,500-₱5,000+ for initial consultations and ₱1,500-₱2,500 for follow-ups. Licensed psychologists charge ₱1,500-₱3,500 per session. Licensed counselors charge ₱1,000-₱2,500. **Free or low-cost services** are available through government mental health centers and NGOs. PhilHealth covers ₱9,000-₱16,000/year for outpatient mental health services. Online therapy (BetterHelp) costs ₱14,000-₱20,000/month.
![Gallbladder Surgery (Cholecystectomy) Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.clinicfinderph.com%2Fblog%2Fgallbladder-surgery-cost-philippines.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) in the Philippines costs **₱13,000-₱150,000** depending on the technique and hospital tier. Open cholecystectomy at a government hospital costs ₱13,000-₱30,000. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy at private hospitals costs ₱70,000-₱150,000. PhilHealth covers a significant portion of both procedures. Top hospitals include [Makati Medical Center](/clinic/makati-medical-center), [The Medical City](/clinic/the-medical-city), [Asian Hospital](/clinic/asian-hospital-and-medical-center), [Perpetual Help Medical Center](/clinic/perpetual-help-medical-center-las-pias-hospital), and [Cardinal Santos Medical Center](/clinic/cardinal-santos-medical-center).