9 years ago
2
Some Doctors Still Dismiss Parents' Concerns About Autism
Most children don't get diagnosed with autism until they start school, a study finds, though the signs may be visible much earlier. Earlier diagnosis means more time to get therapy.
Continue Reading
http://www.npr.org
-
Parental Concerns, Provider Response, and Timeliness of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis
Although parents of children with ASD have early concerns, delays in diagnosis are common, particularly when providers' responses are reassuring or passive, highlighting the need for targeted improvements in primary care.
Join the Discussion
Doctors are inclined to dismiss parental concerns more due to the fact that parents (especially first time parents) do nothing but worry about their children's development. Every smile and wave makes them instantly an Einstein. Every sneeze or cough is obviously Ebola and dammit, why aren't they calling me back. I've called them three times this morning...
If you're concerned about your kids development, then seek out the help you need, the specialists you want. there's nothing stopping you.
Do anything you need to address your concerns. In the meantime, your doctor has 30 other Einsteins and Ebola sufferers to tend to.
It's his job to address their concerns - and it's also his job to do primary screenings for things that are certain to come up within his practice.
And seeing out the help you need, the specialists you want - well, that leads to the Wakefields, the McCarthy's and the Defeat Autism Now's of this world - peddlers of panic and patent nostrums are always swift to capitalize on when parent's concerns are dismissed without consideration.