When to See a Developmental Pediatrician: Signs Your Child May Benefit

A developmental pediatrician can help monitor and treat childhood developmental issues including developmental delays. Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, in Ocean, NJ, provides a wide range of pediatric services, including developmental assessments and treatment. She proudly serves residents of Ocean, and Monmouth County, NJ, areas.

What You Need To Know About Childhood Development

So, when should you and your child see a developmental pediatrician? You should seek out the expertise of a developmental pediatrician if your child is experiencing difficulty with:

• Talking
• Remembering things
• Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking
• Using fine motor skills
• Understanding what other people are saying
• Problem-solving
• Social situations with other children

If your child is experiencing difficulty with developmental milestones like those listed above, you should schedule an assessment with your developmental pediatrician. The purpose of a developmental assessment is to:

• Identify developmental delays early, so treatment can begin
• Identify whether your child has achieved appropriate developmental milestones
• Assess the effectiveness of treatment

During an assessment, your developmental pediatrician will:

• Perform a thorough medical record review including medications your child is taking, recent illnesses, and hospitalizations
• Observe behaviors, mannerisms, cognitive abilities, emotional and physical delays, and other factors
• Provide questionnaires, checklists, and surveys to gather important developmental information
• Interview you and members of your household, your child’s teachers, and others close to your child

Your child should have developmental assessments at 9, 18, and 30 months, according to the American Pediatric Association. Your child will also be screened for autism at 18 and 24 months.

Want To Know More?

To discover more about when to see a developmental pediatrician and how your child can benefit, call Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, in Ocean, NJ, serving residents of Ocean, and Monmouth County, NJ areas. You can reach her in the office by calling (732) 660-0220, so call today.