Developmental Disabilities
Pediatrics in Roseville, CA
About 17% of American children have developmental disabilities. At Professional Pediatrics, the experienced team led by renowned pediatrician Benjamin Valdez, MD, offers patient-centered care to monitor, evaluate, diagnose, and treat developmental disabilities effectively. Children of all ages are welcome in the Roseville, California, office, so if your child needs an evaluation or is due for their next well-child exam, call the office to schedule now.
Developmental disabilities encompass a group of conditions that affect a child’s physical or mental function. Children with developmental disabilities may struggle with behavior, language, movement, learning, or other aspects of life.
Most developmental disabilities are present from birth, although the condition may not be formally diagnosed until up to a few years later in some cases.
Developmental disabilities are usually lifelong conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment, with ongoing medical and family support, gives children with developmental disabilities the resources they need to thrive.
Some of the most common developmental disabilities include:
Symptoms for some conditions overlap, and a child can have more than one developmental disability.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental screening during some of your child’s well-child visits. These visits include those at:
The team also performs behavioral screenings during the 9, 18, and 30 month visits. AAP also recommends specific autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening at 18 and 24 months.
The AAP guidelines apply to children with an average risk of developmental and behavioral problems. Children who have a low birthweight, premature delivery, or certain other risk factors may require screening earlier or more frequently, or they could require additional screenings.
If your child’s developmental screening detects a potential problem, the Professional Pediatrics team may recommend a more in-depth developmental evaluation.
This type of evaluation can diagnose specific developmental problems through a detailed exam, medical observation, interviews with family and caregivers, and formal evaluation measures.
Developmental disability treatment depends on the particular condition and child. In many cases, children with developmental disabilities need physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Some children may need educational accommodations, such as a special education class.
Psychological and behavioral counseling are often helpful for both the child with the developmental disability and their loved ones.
Professional Pediatrics offers patient-centered care for children with developmental disabilities, with ongoing support for the whole family. Call the office to schedule your child’s appointment now.