Has your little one started talking yet? Isn't he running and playing like other children? Or is there a change in his behavior that you can't understand? As a mother or father, it's very normal for you to feel a lot of anxiety about things like this. Every parent wants to see their child grow up healthy, happy, and like other children. So, today we'll talk about a doctor who can provide expert help for these kinds of problems, and who has received special training in the same field.
Who is this Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?
Simply put, this is a doctor who specializes in pediatrics. But he goes a little further than a regular pediatrician, studying in depth the problems related to children's development, learning, and behavior , and receiving additional special training in that regard.
Imagine, when our child has a fever or a cold, we go to a pediatrician. Also, if you notice any developmental delays, learning difficulties, or strange behavior patterns in your child, this specialist is there to find solutions, find causes, and coordinate treatment. They examine the child's development, social skills, and behavior. They also look for medical and psychosocial causes that may be affecting these changes and help develop a treatment plan that best suits the child.
These people have spent years in medical school, become doctors, then trained for years to become pediatricians, and then even more specialized training in this area of development and behavior. So they have a lot of knowledge and experience in this subject.
Why do we need such a specialist?
Not all children are the same. Everyone's development rate is different. Think about it, some babies don't crawl at the right time, but start walking a little earlier. Others walk late, but start talking beautifully very quickly. Small differences like these are normal.
Many times, children who are a little late in reaching developmental milestones, which worries parents, eventually grow up to be healthy and problem-free. However, don't ignore any apparent developmental delay just because it's the case. If you think your child isn't doing things that are age-appropriate, it's important to talk to your pediatrician about it.
Behavior is the same. It's normal for a three-year-old to lie on the floor, cry, and throw temper tantrums. That's the nature of that age. However, if a five- or six-year-old child continues to behave in the same way, it may be something to pay attention to.
A child development and behavioral specialist can help you differentiate between these normal changes in your child's development and behavior and identify which problems are more serious. They can help you determine if there is a problem and, if necessary, start treatment as soon as possible, without scaring you unnecessarily.
What kinds of conditions do these specialists help with?
There are many situations where the support of these specialists is needed. Let's look at some of them.
| Problem / situation | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Learning Disorders | Difficulties with schoolwork. For example, reading problems (dyslexia) , difficulty with arithmetic, and difficulty with writing. |
| Developmental Delays | Delays in age-appropriate speech, walking, thinking, and social skills. |
| Attention & Behavioral Disorders | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) , irritability, anxiety , depression , and oppositional behavior. |
| Habit Disorders | Tics and Tourette Syndrome . |
| Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder , Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disabilities, and Hearing/Visual Impairments. |
| Regulatory Disorders | Things like bedwetting, sleep problems, toilet training difficulties, and incontinence (encopresis) . |
| Problems with other diseases | Developmental and behavioral problems associated with chronic conditions such as diabetes , asthma , and cancer . |
How does this specialist treat?
This is a very important question. Treating developmental and behavioral problems like these is very complex. It can't be done by one doctor alone. It's a team effort . Your child's developmental and behavioral specialist will serve as the leader, or coordinator , of this team. He or she will decide which other specialists your child needs and refer them to them.
That group could include people like:
- Child Psychologists
- Child Neurologists
- Child Psychiatrists
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech and Language Pathologists
Your child development specialist will combine the information from all of these sources and create the treatment plan that best suits your child.
In addition, they will perform various tests to find the exact cause of the child's problem. These may include brain MRI scans, genetic testing, and other blood tests. Once a specific diagnosis is made, it will be a great help in getting the child the services they need and preventing future complications.
What is your role as a parent?
You have a big responsibility in this journey. Treatment for these conditions often does not rely on medication. Instead, training, education, and behavior modification are key. Therefore, it takes time to see results. You will need patience and dedication to the fullest.
Remember, results on this journey come gradually, in small steps. Don't expect big changes overnight.
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly, to have your child participate in therapy sessions exactly, and to do the exercises you are given to do at home exactly.
If you are concerned about your child's learning or behavioral difficulties, the first thing to do is talk to your family pediatrician. If he or she feels the need, you will be referred to a child developmental and behavioral specialist. If left untreated, children with these disabilities are more likely to develop psychological problems such as anxiety and poor self-esteem. Therefore, getting the right specialist help at the right time can do your child a lot of good.
Take-Home Message
- If you have any concerns about your child's development or behavior, don't ignore them. Talk to your pediatrician first.
- A Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician is a doctor who has received special training for these types of problems.
- Treatment for these conditions is often not based on medication. Behavioral therapy, various therapeutic methods, training, and education are the mainstays.
- This treatment process is a team effort. Your doctor, therapists, and you need to work together.
- Your patience and dedication are the greatest strength your child will have on this journey. You are not alone, there is a team of skilled specialists who can help you.
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