How do parents go about finding a qualified pediatrician for kids with special needs, particularly those with Down syndrome? Since ability and developmental progress is different for every kid with the condition, you need a doctor who understands the unique care needs of your family.
Knowing what to look for in a qualified pediatrician for DS care can be a challenge, especially when you’re a new parent already overwhelmed by the enormous transition to parenthood. When your child has special needs, finding the right doctor can be even more stressful. Knowing what to ask can help you be sure a pediatrician is the right fit.
How Do I Spot a Qualified Pediatrician for DS Care?
Most of the time, kids with Down syndrome won’t require full-time specialist care. This means choosing a qualified pediatrician can often mean choosing the one who makes you feel most confident and secure in your child’s quality of care. Make sure the one you choose follows the American Academy of Pediatrics Health Guidelines for Children with Down Syndrome, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Here are a few which can help you gauge a qualified pediatrician’s knowledge of and experience with DS care:
- Do you have other patients with Down syndrome?
- What methods do you use to gather new information?
- How do you typically manage care for patients with DS?
Listen to the responses you get to these questions, and how those answers are delivered. You’ll be able to judge how easily you can communicate with a pediatrician, in addition to hearing how they approach care for kids with special needs. A qualified pediatrician will offer good responses in a patient, informative manner.
It’s important to be sure you’re confident in a pediatrician’s approach to care, but also that you’re able to comfortably and confidently communicate with them. You’ll likely spend more time with the pediatrician than parents of kids without Down syndrome, and those visits need to be encouraging as well as informative.
Family Medicine or Pediatric Practice for Kids with Down Syndrome?
Many parents find working with a pediatrician is a better fit than working with a general family medicine doctor, especially when the kids in need of care have special needs. Because pediatricians spend three years of residency working specifically with children before they ever go into a practice, most pediatricians will have a wealth of experience in practical care compared to the more generalized training of a family care provider.
At Pediatric Healthcare of Northwest Houston, we pride ourselves on offering the very best in compassionate, kid-friendly care paired with a commitment to cutting-edge medicine. We work to give all our patients innovative, state-of-the-art care with flexible scheduling and a network of connected clinics for peak convenience. Call today to make your first appointment, and let’s start building your child a foundation for great health together.
