Antonina Lobodyuk, a pediatrician at the Dobrobut Medical Network, explained why it is necessary to start working with specialists as early as possible.
One of the mistakes parents make
When a mother notices that her child behaves differently from other children, she starts looking for information, reads descriptions of similar examples on social networks. However, often the information on the Internet is not true. Many parents try to find a “magic pill” to solve the problem overnight. It is important to note that there are no miracle cures. Correction is a long and painstaking process. It is more correct to contact centers where there is a team of specialists, such as a psychologist, speech therapist, rehabilitation therapist, psychiatrist, etc. This approach will allow you to help the child and his or her family as effectively as possible and gain precious time.
The sooner the better
There are many examples of parents who, upon learning of their child's diagnosis, radically changed their routine to adapt to his or her needs. Another thing is if parents do not want to hear that their child has certain peculiarities. In this case, it is difficult to convey how important it is to start correction as early as possible. In most countries of the world, there are early detection programs, which mean that all young children are screened by specialists such as pediatricians, psychologists, and neurologists. Specialists can find out whether there is a risk of any peculiarities in the child's development. And if in doubt, the examination is repeated.
Early intervention is considered to be effective when a child begins to be engaged before 18 months of age. It is inappropriate to wait until the age of 3 in the hope that the child will “outgrow” the problem. The earlier the correction begins, the better the result of the work. For example, if we talk about children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), some of them are overcoming this condition. Of course, certain features remain, but they do not interfere with the child's life. There are many examples of such children who later become brilliant people.
When there was a negative experience
If parents are confused because they have already had some negative experience with correction and work with their child, it is important to analyze several points. For example, how the lessons were conducted with the child. Perhaps the doctor was simply not the right one for the child. In such cases, I recommend specific specialists. Very often, parents themselves ask: “Where do you advise me to go? Who should I contact?” Indeed, it is important that parents receive professional help right away.
Few people know that most special children are very sensitive to the emotional state of the doctor and the mood with which he or she performs his or her duties. Therefore, before starting work, a specialist must work through his or her feelings and emotions as much as possible to make the examination comfortable for the little patient. And then parents, seeing such an attitude towards their child, already trust the doctor and behave more confidently when they visit him or her again.
Personally, I am pleased to work with the children and on myself to make the reception as professional as possible. Perhaps it is my small mission to help special children, because it is really very important.
How do the people around you react?
When a child behaves differently from other children, the environment perceives it as normal. But as the child grows up, the sympathy of the environment decreases. And if we talk about the attitude of society towards special children, unfortunately, Ukraine does not yet have the tolerance that is characteristic, for example, of residents of European countries. Here, people can approach the parents of a special child and make comments. Of course, it is very unpleasant when others do not understand the essence of the problem of such children. That is why many parents try not to appear with their special child in public places in order not to attract too much attention. That is why it is very important to spread information about special children in our society.
The future of special children
Starting with early correction and throughout life (or until adolescence), special children work with specialists. It is important for parents to find a doctor who will accompany their child at different stages of his or her growth. As the child grows up, he or she will have various difficulties that need to be addressed, and specialists know how to work with them. Later, special children start families and get an education. There are diagnostic tests that can be used to determine which professions are more suitable for a special child, in which field he or she will be able to show his or her abilities and succeed. Thus, it is possible to predict in advance what the child should do. And it is very important for parents to know this. Only in cooperation with specialists can success be achieved. There is no need to panic, despair or give up - the successful future of a special child depends on it.
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