The last blog discussed advocating for your child at school. This week we are going to discuss talking to your pediatrician. Sometimes as parents, we are intimidated by our pediatrician. I know I was as a first time parent. However, you know your child better than anyone! Your pediatrician does rely on what you tell him or her. If you have speech and language concerns you need to express this to your pediatrician.
EARLY INTERVENTION has reduce or eliminate speech and language issues before your child starts school. If your pediatrician is not concerned you really must express your concern again, as the parent, that is with the child daily. I got really tired of hearing the statement, “He’s just a boy”. Well I have 3 boys and they are all very different. My first child was diagnosed with ADHD in second grade. He didn’t develop this in second grade, it just took that long for someone (a teacher) to pull me over and tell me he is really struggling to stay on task at school. I’m a professional, I should know this, was my first thought.
So, I went to a seminar on the new ADHD and that speaker described my son. He was not just being a boy or being bad, he had a disorder. This was when ADHD first came to light in the professional world. the pediatrician was just receiving information about this disorder. I had to be persistent in getting him to really look at ADHD and make a move. We will discuss this more next week.
What my message is to you as a parent is, speak up and say what you feel! If you have a gut feeling that something is just not right, say it to your pediatrician. If they do not listen, then go to someone else. Ask for the referral! You must speak up for your child so they receive the help they need at an early age. Follow your gut feeling. the Internet is a wonderful tool!
