Be An Advocate For Your Child

You Must Be A Strong Advocate For Your Child As a parent, you have to do what is in your child’s best interest. Sometimes that can be a scary and uncertain road. Relying on what your gut instinct is telling you is usually the right road to follow. No one knows a child as well as the parents. (When I say parents, that could also mean a child’s caretaker such as grandparents or whoever is raising the child). If you think that there might be something that is not quite right, then you need to investigate it immediately. Of course, it could be nothing but what if it isn’t….DON’T be afraid of what you might find out. DO be afraid of doing nothing. Could Something Be Wrong? Does my child have a problem? That nagging thought keeps returning to your mind. You push it away and carry on with life. However, it keeps coming back until one day you have to decide to deal with it. Make that day sooner rather than later. Don’t waste precious time trying to decide for yourself if something is wrong. Seek professional help! Maybe you have noticed that your child is not talking as well as other children. Possibly your child is not meeting his/her milestones on time. Sometimes there is just something that is “off” that you can’t even put your finger on. Does any of this sound familiar? If you are in those shoes, keep reading and maybe you will find some advice that will help you. Trust me, I have been there. No One Else Sees It……… That might be, but YOU do Your family tells you that they don’t think anything is wrong. Your friends tell you that you are worrying too much and everything is just fine. It would be so easy to listen to those well meaning people, wouldn’t it? As I said before, go with your gut. You are the one that lives with the child daily. You see things that other people don’t. Don’t let yourself get talked out of seeking answers and help. Be your child’s advocate before the problem is even identified. You don’t want to look back later and regret not acting sooner. There is always the possibility that nothing is wrong after all. That would be wonderful! At least you would know that you investigated your child’s every possible need. Different Types of Concerns It is very important to stay in tune with your child and his/her development. Not that I am saying that you should monitor every move like a hawk. You also shouldn’t compare your child with every other child you come across. However, be aware of how they are developing and note any concerns. After doing a tremendous amount of research on this subject, I have noticed the same things coming up over and over again. Autism, ADHD and speech delays seeem to all be on the rise. The one thing that seems clear is that the earlier a problem is detected and treatment is started, the better off the child is in the long run. Where Do I Start To Get Help? Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns The first thing to do is to call your pediatrician with any concerns you might have. Be very insistent about what you are saying. All to often parents get brushed off and told that everything is just fine. This is where advocating your child starts. Don’t be afraid of sounding silly or being accused of worrying too much. Your child is too important to worry about your pride. The best thing to do is to be prepared when you speak to the doctor. Make a list of everything that you want to talk about. That way, you can’t forget something or get sidetracked during the conversation. It is very helpful to have a log of your child as well. You can note in the log when and how often a particular behavior occurs. The pediatrician will probably refer you to a specialist. Depending on your child’s situation, the doctor might also refer you to your local early intervention program that is available in each county. Now That You Know The Truth…….. Advocate your child to a bright future Once you have a diagnosis, you will have a firmer grip on how to help your child. You can find the right resources and help. Your advocacy role is not over yet. There might be many “battles” ahead. Problems with insurance, the school system, peers and even doctors are bound to arise. Just remember to push for the best and expect the best when it comes to helping your child. You got him this far, now continue to make his future the brightest it can be! By: Kelly Baxter Advocate Your Child