Sensible questions to ask a paediatrician

Frith

Hello.

My younger son is off to see the paediatrician on Tuesday. Last time, the paed asked for reports to be written by son's occupational therapist and his speech therapist.

My son was very quick to learn to walk then slow to learn to talk. He is now 6 and is also right and left handed, has quite a weak grip, quite "up and down" emotionally and in his behaviour and cannot read. Sometimes he can write his own name.

Last time we saw the paed, he said once he had got the reports, he might say son has Aspergers Syndrome or has "non-specific learning disability".

Does anyone know what that is?? Does non-specific just mean they don't know which learning difficulty he has?

And are there any questions I should be asking the paed while I get the chance?

Thanks.
Liz

amilotte

No advice sorry but they may be able to advise on the Disabilities and Dosh board, I have seen threads re learning disabilities and Aspergers on there. May be worth a post on there too if you have not already.

alison6692

Hello

This isn't my area of expertise either but why not contact the National Autistic Society as they may be able to off advice about what to ask ,etc

This is their website

http://www.nas.org.uk/asperger

Good Luck x

pickle

I'd have a look for a support organisation dealing with intellectual disabilities and they can guide you as Alison6692 suggests. My suggestion would be to ask the paediatrician when a diagnosis is made is to firstly, explain what it is exactly and what you can expect in terms of your child's learning development from then on and perhaps long-term outcome in terms of independence if you want to go there at this point. Also what support you can expect in terms of educational requirements and social support eg. any extra home support if you require it. Good luck, I hope you find the answers you are seeking.

pandora205

Hi Acey. Non specific-learning disability sounds like paediatrician speak for learning difficulites without a diagnosis to me (I'm an educational psychologist). Either way, it's your son's needs that are important rather than a label and ensuring that he is getting the help he needs at school.