To get the most out of your first visit for developmental or behavioral concerns, keep the following in mind: 1. The initial visit will take quite a bit longer than a "routine" checkup. 2.
If possible, bring copies of any and all reports from specialists,
therapists, Early Intervention, Committee on Special Education, IEP,
hearing and vision evaluations,and other doctors. Bring copies of any
information that you feel will be important. 3. Remember to bring immunization records and any lab reports. 4. It might be helpful to write down information that you want to discuss. 5. Sometimes it is helpful to write down questions that you want to ask. 6.
If there are any special situations that you feel are important and
need to be discussed in advance, please call and speak with the doctor.
Using Medication to Treat Behavioral Problems
The
decision to use medication to treat behavioral problems is a difficult
one. It is important for parents to have as much information as
possible. This page as well as the main page contains excellent and
comprehensive articles about psychotropic medications including
stimulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotic
medications and others.
The following article is written by a
well-known developmental pediatrician, Dr. Mark Wolraich. It is very
complete. It is available on the home page under "Psychotropic
Medications" or you can copy the address and paste it into your web
browser-- http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/1469-7610.00110/full/#h12
The following is excellent information from the National Institue of Mental Health (NIMH) Many
times medications are not specifically tested for children -- using
medications in this way is known as "off-label". This article talks
about this and other medication issues: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/childmed.cfm You can download their excellent brochure from the "Psychotropic Medications" section on the home page
Stimulants
are extremely safe and effective for treating Attention
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adults. There are some
sideffects such as decreased appetitie, trouble sleeping, headaches,
stomachaches and tics. See the excellent parent resources from the
American Academy of Pediatrics and Society for Developmental and
Behavioral Pediatrics under "Psychotropic Medications" on the home page
