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As a child grows from birth to adolescence, there are important developmental milestones that each child is expected to reach physically, cognitively and emotionally. When there is a delay in a child’s cognitive or emotional development that affects academics, social or family dynamics it might be time to become acquainted with a Developmental Pediatrician.
A family Pediatrician is trained to monitor your child’s physical growth milestones and watch for any signs that your child might need to be referred to an outside specialist for issues outside of their immediate scope of practice. A Developmental Pediatrician is a subspecialty in pediatrics that addresses more specific issues that are related to delays in areas that affect development such as speech disorders, motor skills delays, sleep or eating disorders, attention deficit disorders, learning deficits, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Tourette’s and many others.
Developmental Pediatricians are trained to understand the effects of the medical and psychosocial aspects of the developmental and behavioral issues that their children are struggling with and how it affects the family as a whole. Developmental Pediatricians are trained to work with the entire family to evaluate, provide counseling and treatment.
In addition to working with families, Developmental Pediatricians work closely with school personnel and other organizations that are involved in the care and education of the child.
Where Can I Find a Developmental Pediatrician?
If you are in need of a Developmental Pediatrician, you can find them at private practices, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, health departments, and community outreach programs. Children’s hospitals often have an entire department dedicated to developmental pediatrics.
Due to the wide range of developmental and behavioral disorders that Developmental Pediatricians address, it is commonplace to find these specialists work with a team of professionals that specialize in various areas. These specialists might include a child psychologist, speech pathologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, child psychiatrist, pediatrician, social worker, neurologist and even educational consultants or diagnosticians.
What Do Developmental Pediatricians Diagnose?
Developmental Pediatricians are highly trained to be more specific when it comes to diagnosing behavioral and developmental disorders. General Pediatricians are somewhat limited in their training when it comes to learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and developmental disorders. There is a wide range of behavioral and developmental difficulties. Developmental Pediatricians can identify, recommend specific treatment options and provide options for the entire family.
Additionally, if there is a need for any medication a Developmental Pediatrician can also provide a prescription and monitor the child.
Over the long term, a Developmental Pediatrician is part of your child’s team of advocates that will support your entire family through the early years of childhood and throughout the years in school when the most help will be needed.
Our staff at Circle Care Services, New Jersey, joins up with that team of advocates to support you and your family through this time of growth for your child. Collaboration between our Behavior Analysts and the Developmental Pediatrician while working in cooperation with family, school and other outside agencies over the long term gives your child the best opportunity for learning and growing through the challenges they face.
Bring us into your inner circles, and get the supportive team collaboration you need anywhere in New Jersey.
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