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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffDevelopmental screenings are usually performed at regular well-child visits. But even if you specifically want your child's social and cognitive development evaluated, you're likely to start by seeing your child's regular doctor. If after preliminary testing your child's doctor suspects a developmental disorder, you'll probably be referred to a team of childhood development specialists for more detailed developmental testing.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your initial appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any signs and symptoms you've noticed in your child, including any that may seem unrelated to growth and development.
- Write down key personal information, including details and dates of when your child reached various milestones, if you have recorded or can recall them. It may help to bring along a baby book or other record of your child's growth and development. At some point, family home videos may help a doctor understand what your child was like before the onset of symptoms. Also, let your doctor know of any history of developmental disorders in your family.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that your child is taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
List your questions from most important to least important in case your time with your doctor runs out. For childhood disintegrative disorder, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my child's symptoms? Are there other possible causes?
- What kinds of tests will my child need?
- What are the potential outcomes for my child?
- What's the best treatment for my child?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- What is the next step?
- Should my child see a specialist? Which one? Is the specialist to whom you're referring me experienced in diagnosing or treating autism spectrum disorders?
- Does my child need medication? If so, is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
- What local and regional resources are available to me and my family?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions anytime during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did your child begin experiencing these symptoms?
- Have your child's symptoms been continuous or intermittent?
- How severe are your child's symptoms? Are they becoming more severe?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your child's symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your child's symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting to see your doctor, keep in mind that childhood disintegrative disorder is a rare disorder. Furthermore, if your child is eventually diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, remember that there are therapies and resources available. If you've noticed that a set schedule helps your child know what to expect and prevents outbursts of emotion or temper tantrums, consider making a regular routine a priority.
- Childhood disintegrative disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Pervasive developmental disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Childhood disintegrative disorder. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203193401-3/1005176842/1608/73.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50031-1--cesec12_466 Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Pervasive developmental disorders. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203193401-5/1005177285/1657/637.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04743-2..50071-8--cesec46_1911. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Augustyn M. Terminology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Autism spectrum disorders (pervasive developmental disorders). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-index.shtml. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Augustyn M. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 18, 2010.
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