Kids Health Watch is Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group
Parenting a child with special needs can be complicated. There are appointments to schedule, therapies to coordinate, specialists to see, school concerns to address, and often a long list of recommendations to consider. On top of that, parents are frequently exposed to advice from friends, family, social media, and other sources. It can be difficult to know what information is reliable and what actually applies to your child.
This is one of the areas where your pediatrician can be helpful. We can be a sounding board and help you sort through information using medical knowledge and evidence-based recommendations.
Special needs can look very different from one child to another. Some challenges are immediately apparent, while others may not be visible to anyone outside the family. Regardless of the diagnosis or circumstances, your pediatrician should be part of your child’s medical team and someone you feel comfortable contacting when questions arise.
Do not hesitate to bring up concerns, even if they seem minor. A problem that seems small may nonetheless require intervention, and may have a simple solution. Sometimes addressing a concern early can prevent it from becoming a larger problem.
Your pediatrician can also help with some of the practical aspects of caring for a child with additional needs. We can help monitor development, coordinate care between specialists, provide referrals for therapy, assist with medical equipment or devices, and communicate with other members of your child’s care team when appropriate. We can also help you determine which concerns need a specialist and which can be addressed in the pediatrician’s office.
With frequent therapy appointments, specialist visits, school meetings, and the usual demands of raising children, it is easy for parents to become overwhelmed. It is also easy to overlook your own needs. Making time for yourself and accepting help when it is available are important.
You do not have to have every answer or manage every part of your child’s care on your own. Your pediatrician can help you navigate the medical system, answer questions, and work with you to determine what your child needs.
If something is making your child’s care more difficult, bring it up at the next visit—or call the office. Sometimes the solution is simpler than you expect.
Author: Savannah Browning
Dr. Savannah Browning grew up in Fayette, AL. She moved to Mobile to attend Medical School at the University of South Alabama in 2009, and has been a proud Mobilian ever since. She joined Children’s Medical Group in 2016, and her office is at the Airport Boulevard location. She lives in Mobile with her husband, Andrew, and their three children: Jude, Luke, and Annie.
