Navigating the complex world of a child with neurodevelopment disorders - Part I

As a parent, maybe you noticed that your child is not like all the other kids on the playground. Maybe he is not talking as much or she is just playing alone most of the time. You are concerned that he is a picky eater, is not sleeping well, or that her temper tantrums are more intense and lasting longer than what you would expect. Your relatives tell you that someone in the family was the same as a child and they turned out fine, but you still have that unsettling feeling that something is not quite right. The teachers seem to try to gently tell you to take your child to the pediatrician to have him evaluated.

When you get to your pediatrician’s office and express your concerns, you realize that this is the beginning of a complex parenting journey that has its own confusing language. 

Here are some of the terminology and specialists that you may encounter as a parent of a child with neurodevelopment disorders.

Neuropsychologist - a specialist who diagnoses a child with mood or behavior concerns and can also make great school accommodations recommendations

Neurologist - a specialist who can address and treat neurological symptoms

Psychiatrist - a specialist who can treat conditions like anxiety, depression, mood disorders

Psychologist - a specialist who does counseling for the child or the family

ECI (short for "Early Childhood Intervention”) - a place where young children can be evaluated for developmental delays and receive services

OT (short for “occupational therapy”) - a therapy for fine motor skills delay, feeding issues, or sensory processing disorder problems

ST (short for “speech therapy”) - a therapy for speech delay

PT (short for "physical therapy") - a therapy for gross motor delay

ABA therapy (short for “applied behavior analysis”) - a therapy for autism

Feeding therapy - a therapy for feeding difficulties 

School accommodations plans: 

IEP (short for “Individualized Educational Plan”)

OHI (short for “Other Health Impairments”)

 “504” plan 

Other specialists your child may need:

genetics, ENT, gastroenterology, allergist, pulmonary, dermatologist, sleep specialist.

To add another layer of complexity to the care of a child with neurodevelopment disorders, you may have heard of “integrative medicine” or “functional medicine”. I will address these topics in another blog. 

Navigating the complex world of a child with neurodevelopment disorders - Part 2

Wherever you are on your parenting journey - at the beginning, trying to figure out what is going on with your child, or you have already got a diagnosis but are still looking for help, know that you are not alone. Give us a call and let us be your guides. We may not have all the answers, but we will be by your side, every step of the way, looking for them.