There’s a wide range of what’s considered typical when it comes to child development. But if there’s something about your child’s physical, emotional, behavioral, or social development that has you concerned, don’t hesitate to talk to your child’s primary care doctor. A referral to the Developmental Pediatrics division at Nemours may be warranted.
Our doctors are board-certified pediatricians who have completed a fellowship in either neurodevelopmental disabilities or developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Our combined expertise covers a range of developmental concerns, including:
- suspected or known delays involving motor, language, or social skills
- autistic spectrum disorders
- learning disabilities
- attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- developmental concerns associated with known congenital or genetic conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome
- pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders
What to Expect at a Visit
When you bring your child for a comprehensive evaluation with one of our doctors, we will:
- ask you about your child’s medical history, achievement of developmental milestones, and areas of strengths and concerns;
- conduct a physical exam that focuses not only on the basics, like height and weight, but also on coordination, reflexes, and muscle tone; and
- interact with your child and observe how he or she communicates, moves, and plays.
To help us identify a problem or make a diagnosis, we may recommend further testing, including speech, fine motor, gross motor, psychological, genetic, or nutritional assessments. Our comprehensive diagnostic approach puts a lot of emphasis on collaboration with other medical specialty areas such as Neurology, Behavioral Health, and Therapeutic Services.
Once the evaluation is complete we will compile a full report of our findings along with specific treatment recommendations, which may include at-home or school-based therapies, Early Intervention services, counseling, and/or medications. We can also offer guidance about and referrals to agencies and educational programs that may be helpful to your child.
Follow-Up Care
What may offer the most peace of mind, though, is the fact that we consider our commitment to your child to be a long-term one. That is, as your child grows and his or her needs change, we will continue to work along with your child’s primary care physician to monitor and assess your child’s developmental progress. We are available to provide documentation to schools, and coordinate any necessary changes to the treatment plan. Our ultimate goal is to give you the tools you need to be an effective advocate for your child in every setting.