Start
Here - ADD,
ADHD, ODD, OCD, bipolar, autism, spinal
bifida, psychosocial, sensory integration, IGE mediated response,
physical disability, emotional disability, developmental
disability...What
does it all mean?
Start here to begin
making
sense out of it all. You know in your heart that something with your
child is just not right. What are
you going to do now?
Start with your pediatrician. They know you, your
child and what is normal and what you need to investigate further. Your
pediatrician should be able to refer you to specialists, if needed.
Your pediatrician
can help determine what you are
dealing with specifically, or at the very least, help figure out what
general category is in question: physical disability, emotional
disability, or developmental disability.
You do not have to blindly accept everything you
are told - especially if it just doesn't seem right to you. It took us
nearly 13 years to finally get the right diagnosis and consequently the
right treatment plan for our daughter.
If you are just not sure your primary care
physician is understanding or is just not "getting it", take your child
to another doctor, or a specialist for another opinion. Call your local
community mental health services and ask for an assessment or
evaluation - these are normally done during the intake process but
procedures differ between communities.
Some communities have early intervention programs
that will help to evaluate if your child is developing normally. Check
with your local Community Mental Health Services, local hospitals, or
even your local school district.