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Developmental Pediatricians Help Kids Reach Their Full Potential

Because every child develops at their own pace, it can be difficult to catch developmental delays. Sanford Children’s developmental pediatricians work to detect delays early and test, diagnose and treat your child as soon as they can.

See the CDC’s recommended pediatric development chart to see if your child is meeting the recommended milestones for their age. If you’re concerned about your child not meeting these milestones, talk with their primary care provider. The earlier a developmental disorder is classified, the faster we can work with you to create a treatment plan for your child’s unique needs.

With comprehensive and interdisciplinary evaluations, the developmental pediatricians at Sanford Children’s are here to help your child reach their maximum potential.

For physicians: Refer a patient to Sanford Health.

 

Early Intervention Services Available

Autism

Autism is a complex disorder that affects a child’s behavior, social development and communication skills. Pediatricians can spot early signs of autism by the time a child is 14 months old. A definitive diagnosis can be made by age 3.

Signs of autism in toddlers include:

  • Ignoring their name when it’s called
  • Averting their gaze to avoid eye contact
  • Seeming uninterested in other kids
  • Struggling alone instead of asking for help
  • Not communicating (through sounds, gestures, etc.) as much as other toddlers

Early interventional therapies can help a child function better as a toddler and as an adult. See a pediatrician to get a diagnosis and treatment plan for your child. We’ll work with you to decide what would work best with your child’s needs and strengths.

Learn about raising a child with autism.

 

ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is hard to diagnose. All children will occasionally display impulsive behaviors and have trouble paying attention. The difference with ADHD is that these symptoms are long-lasting. A child must exhibit symptoms of ADHD for at least six months and be over 7 years old to get a diagnosis from a pediatrician.

Watch for these symptoms:

  • Acting without thought
  • Easily frustrated
  • Impulsive behaviors
  • Issues with focusing
  • Mood swings

Left untreated, children with ADHD can struggle in school and blame themselves for behaviors or failures caused by their disorder. There are several therapies proven to help children with ADHD cope. Children can join ADHD support groups, undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, learn about anger management, get counseling and more. In most cases, prescription medication alone can help children manage their ADHD symptoms.

In some cases, children may not display hyperactivity and still be diagnosed with ADHD.

Learn more about ADHD.

 

Other Conditions

If your child has developmental delays, Sanford Health pediatricians will first look for the cause. Once your pediatrician identifies the developmental disorder or external origin, interventional treatment can start right away.

In addition to autism and ADHD, we commonly treat:

  • Feeding disorders
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Learning disabilities
  • Spina bifida
  • Pediatric developmental delays with no apparent cause
  • Other associated disorders

The first step in your child’s treatment is to make an appointment. Call your regular pediatrician or find a specialist near you.

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We can help your child reach their full potential

If your child isn’t reaching developmental milestones when they should, Sanford Children’s can help.

Typically, a child’s primary care provider or teacher will be the first one to notice a delay. Once it’s been identified, our developmental pediatricians will work with you to figure out why it’s happening and how to manage it.

In some cases, you may also meet with a genetic counselor. They will start by asking about your family history, which may or may not indicate a genetic cause for the delay. Genetic testing can help find the cause of a developmental delay, as well as the risk for developing any related conditions.

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Can I help my child be successful in the classroom?

If your child has difficulty reading, spelling, writing or doing math problems, they may have a learning disorder. Early intervention and consistent treatment can help ease symptoms and improve your child’s quality of life.

Learning disorders are caused by a problem in the nervous system, either in the brain’s structure or due to chemicals in the brain not working right. As a result, children with learning disorders process information differently.

Before a diagnosis can be made, your child’s primary care provider should rule out any other physical or mental health conditions that could be interfering with learning.

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How to know if your child should be tested

Autism spectrum disorder, or autism, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and non-verbal communication.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a treatable, brain-based behavioral disorder that causes children to struggle with paying attention or being impulsive.

Because both conditions are often diagnosed in childhood, it’s important for parents to understand the signs and have their child screened if necessary.

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