Dr Michael Zilibowitz retires from Delwood Spilstead Service after helping thousands of children

He has helped thousands of children with behavioural and development problems on the northern beaches. Dr Michael Zilibowitz warns demand for help is at its highest.

A Sydney paediatrician who spent 38 years helping kids with behavioural or developmental problems says families today are more stressed than ever.

Dr Michael Zilibowitz, who retired from Delwood Spilstead Service in Seaforth last week, has helped thousands of children on the northern beaches.

But he said the number of kids needing support has grown enormously over nearly four decades and the problems are now far more complex.

“I feel society is more stressed,” Dr Zilibowitz said.

“I feel people in general are more anxious.

Debra Stewart, Lynne Ryan, Jennifer Seale and Dr Michael Zilibowitz at Dalwood Spilstead Service in Seaforth. Picture: Supplied.

“The demand for services has increased and the problems are much more challenging in their complexity.”

He said he could only speculate on why that might be, but thought computers were an issue.

“The speed of transmission of information is much faster,” Dr Zilibowitz said.

“We are all driven harder by computers, the internet and phone technology.

“Everyone is going faster.”

He said one would imagine that living on the northern beaches would mean that the community was healthier but there are “enormous difficulties, tensions and problems”.

Left to right: Maria Kourt, Dr Michael Zilibowitz , Jill Wrathall, Jeanne Pollack, Robyn Hardiman and Gabrielle Duffy, at Dalwood Spilstead Service in Seaforth. Picture: Supplied.

Dr Zilibowitz, 72, said he had 700 clients on his list, but had treated many more over the years and it had been very rewarding work.

“I have felt very privileged to do my work, to be allowed into the lives of so many, for them to share their hopes, anxieties and fear and for me to be able to support them in some way,” he said.

He said one benefit of being in the job for so long was that he had seen some of his former clients get through their problems.

He said one client, who is now 12 and has autism, is thriving at school.

Dalwood Home at Seaforth was turned into a community health hub by NSW Health.

When he had first come to him he had limited speech and language and his parents were despairing over his behaviour.

“With early intervention and a range of medication he is doing well in high school,” Dr Zilibowitz said.

“It’s very heartening.”

He said the way parents “talk and handle” their children changes the way their brain develops and that speaking in a caring and soothing voice, rather than an angry tone, could have a huge impact.

“It underpins all their health, not just in childhood, but into adulthood,” he said.

Dr Michael Zilibowitz with colleague Danina Anderson at Dalwood Spilstead Service in Seaforth. Picture: Supplied.

“Children who have stressful, neglectful or traumatic early experiences have higher levels of cancer, heart disease and other long term health issues.”

His advice to parents was that “the way we talk and handle the baby is actually sculpting the baby’s brain”.

“That relationship is crucial.

“Invest as much energy and time as possible in supporting that relationship with the child.

“If you are struggling, get help early, do not feel ashamed if you are not coping.

“There’s help out there.”

Dr Zilibowitz, who lives in North Bondi and has two grown up children, said other than going on a holiday with his wife, he had no firm retirement plans.

“What I am wanting to see is what creativity is sparked through boredom,” he said.

Dr Zilibowitz was farewelled by colleagues at Delwood Spilstead last week.