What Does a Developmental Pediatrician Have to Do With Autism?

According to the CDC, about 1 in 54 children in the United States has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, we’re still behind on understanding the ins and outs of the disease and its progression.

But, developmental pediatricians spend a lot of time studying conditions like autism. And, they’re helpful in treating and caring for autism spectrum disorders.

Luckily, there’s a developmental pediatrician in Dallas, Texas. And, they can help with developmental issues associated with autism. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is a Developmental Pediatrician?

Developmental pediatricians have knowledge, training, and expertise. They can see and care for your child well. They can also conduct medical assessments and administer treatments.

And, while doing this, they can take your child’s psychosocial aspects into account.

The main role of a developmental pediatrician is to check on children. They see children who aren’t developing, learning, or behaving like other children.

Your child may see a developmental pediatrician after they get a referral. This referral may come from their primary physician, their school, or somewhere else. It may depend on their experiences.

Developmental pediatrics involves analyzing these children. By doing so, they can find the correct diagnoses so that treatment can begin. Here are some of the most common diagnoses that developmental pediatricians may find:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Learning differences like dyslexia or dyscalculia
• Performance issues related to schooling
• Mental health issues like anxiety and depression
• Nonverbal learning disabilities or other differences in social skills
• Delayed development in speech, language, or other motor skills

Some children that see developmental pediatricians may have more than one diagnosis. In fact, this is common especially when children have gone a while without a diagnosis. One deficiency may fuel another.

What Training Do Developmental Pediatricians Have?

Developmental pediatricians have completed years and years of training. They have gained the expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many conditions:

• Four years of undergraduate work in the sciences
• Four years of medical school
• Three years of residency training in pediatric medicine
• Board certification in pediatric medicine
• Several years of training under the subspecialty of developmental pediatrics

And, the American Board of Pediatrics lists all certified physicians on their website. You can verify their certification on this platform and examine their credentials.

Any developmental pediatric physician that you find has the training and skills necessary. They had to work hard for several years to get where they are. And, it’s likely that they may have more insight than other professionals that you may have seen.

How Do Developmental Pediatricians Help Children With Autism?

Most general pediatricians have little experience with autism spectrum disorders. They learn about these things in medical school and may even encounter these conditions in their training.

But, they don’t have the training to give much attention to detail on autism. This means that they may have a harder time diagnosing and treating children with autism.

This is one of the reasons why developmental pediatricians emerged. They have the schooling and training necessary to offer more sound, evidence-based advice.

And, some developmental pediatricians adopt the sub-sub-specialty of autism spectrum disorder. This means that they focus on studying autism spectrum disorder alone. So, they are the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals on the subject.

Developmental pediatricians have the qualifications to diagnose a range of conditions. They can detect a wide range of developmental and behavioral hindrances. And, they have the training necessary to give their opinion on treatment options. This may include more treating physicians and helpful educational programs.

Overall, development pediatricians better handle these conditions. And, they’re able to spot them sooner. So, your child – if they do have any relevant diagnoses – will be better off in their care.

What Does the Evaluation Process With a Development Pediatrician Look Like?

Developmental pediatricians take in as much information as possible. From this information, they can make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Here are some of the things that your developmental pediatrician may do as a part of his/her evaluation:

• Gather a detailed medical, social, behavioral, and developmental history of your child
• Perform a general medical exam
• Observe your child’s methods of interaction (or lack thereof)
• Speak with your child and note their reactions
• Ask how your child feels and acts in different settings
• Seek feedback from other adults in the child’s life, such as teachers

The developmental physician may also recommend that you should see other specialists. These could include an occupational therapist or a neuropsychologist.

These professionals can help narrow down the diagnosis. They may even be able to rule out other diagnoses or treat the determined diagnosis.

After all these tests, it’s time for the conclusion. At this point, your developmental pediatrician may or may not be able to make a diagnosis. Often, developmental pediatricians hold off on making a diagnosis.

This could be for fear of misdiagnosing the patient. Or, they may not be able to distinguish between two diagnoses.

So, to better care for the patient, they explore different answers and possibilities.

Sometimes, the physician needs to see the child many times to make the correct diagnosis.

What Happens After the Diagnosis?

If your child is diagnosed with autism, your physician will make recommendations. Your child may receive a variety of treatments:

• Medication
• Education for the parent on discipline strategies and coping mechanisms
• Recommendations for accommodations, therapies, and other services that may help your child

Your developmental pediatrician can guide you. They can help find the best course of treatment for your child.

Where Can I Find a Developmental Pediatrician in Dallas?

Developmental pediatricians are few and far between. But, there happens to be a developmental pediatrician in Dallas, Texas.

So, if you’re interested in getting a professional opinion, you should reach out and make an appointment. We can give you a professional opinion.

Plus, it’s important to see us sooner rather than later. We can help you and your child learn to cope with these conditions earlier.

And, you’ll be able to learn more about the conditions that they may have.

So, don’t hesitate any longer. See a professional.