Pediatric Service
Developmental Conditions & Autism
Developmental conditions have a long-term impact on how a child grows mentally and emotionally and how he or she learns to interact with others. We have experience helping kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and many other developmental conditions.
What are developmental conditions?
Developmental conditions, or disabilities, are long-term problems that can affect a child’s physical or mental health. These issues typically affect children for the rest of their life and can negatively impact or interfere with daily life.
What causes developmental conditions?
Developmental conditions can be the result of genetic abnormalities, such as Down’s syndrome. They can also develop during a pregnancy due to a virus or infection, exposure to alcohol or drugs, or due to a premature birth.
Your doctor performs several tests between the ages of 6 and 13 months to rule out conditions like autism. The Board-Certified Providers at Grossmont Pediatrics also offer early intervention referrals to address speech delays or expressive language disorders.
What treatment options are available for developmental conditions?
In most cases, there is no cure for developmental conditions. However, with proper diagnosis and a proactive treatment plan, your Board-Certified doctor can offer effective therapies to reduce the severity of symptoms. With early intervention, your doctor can help your child live a healthy and happy life and can also teach you coping skills to parent a child with developmental conditions.
Your child may need one or more types of therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy, to help them achieve developmental milestones. Psychological counseling and special education services may also be part of the treatment plan.
If your child receives an autism diagnosis, your doctor can refer you to the Autism Discovery Institute at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
To learn more about developmental delays and available treatment options, schedule a consultation online or by calling Grossmont Pediatrics.
What are common the symptoms of developmental delays?
While symptoms vary in different types of developmental delays, common indications your child may need an evaluation include:
- Learning more slowly than other children
- Difficulty socializing or communicating
- Crawling or walking later than usual
- Inability to understand actions and consequences
- Frequent trouble in school
- Problems performing everyday tasks without help
It can be helpful to write down what you observe about your child as they grow that causes you concern. This information can be helpful to your doctor’s diagnosis.
What developmental conditions are accessible?
The Board-Certified Providers at Grossmont Pediatrics offer comprehensive guidance and diagnostic services in identifying and treating a variety of pediatric developmental conditions, including:
- Autism
- Dyslexia
- Asperger’s syndrome
- Speech and motor delays
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Once your provider identifies the disorder, your doctor can create a treatment plan to meet your child’s needs. In some cases, they may refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
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