Jordan Developmental Pediatrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my child need to see a developmental pediatrician, and not another type of her providers such as a psychologist or psychiatrist?

Developmental pediatricians are general pediatricians with additional training in evaluating children with mental health, learning, neurological, and other problems that affect him their function. The training in the medical problems of children facilitates the discovery of any physical cause of a child's problem, which is very often the case. When children do not function normally, there is very often a physical reason. They are also in a good position to know where a child must be referred for more specialized assessment or treatment.

2. My child's school says that he is not progressing as he should, and says he should be evaluated. I thought the school was supposed to evaluate him. What should I do?

Schools are required to do psychological/educational testing if parents request it in writing. This assessment should consist of tests of the child's cognitive abilities or IQ, as well as their academic achievement and such subjects as reading writing and mathematics. We do not do this extensive type of standardized IQ testing for school age students, which schools require when they make decisions about placement; Our testing evaluates many of the same skills and abilities that the schools testing does, complements the schools testing, and assists in making decisions about tutoring, class placement and other accommodations the student may need. This is why we sometimes we ask that the parents request that the school conduct such testing. Schools are not able to make medical diagnoses such as ADHD or autism, and this is what they are often concerned about when they suggest an outside assessment.

3. I think my child has a reading problem, but the school is not helping him enough and he is falling behind. What should I do?

Schools have a mixed approach to dyslexia (developmental reading disorder)- some deal with it very well, while others do not test for it or help students until the third grade. Some schools regard dyslexia not as a learning problem, but as a medical diagnosis and one that physicians should make and deal with. Schools often unable to provide sfficient therapy for children with moderate to severe reading problems because they do not have a personnel available; children with moderate to severe dyslexia require at least 2 1-hour sessions a week of individual tutoring with a Orton-Gillingham based multi-sensory explicit phonics tutoring program. Many schools are simply unable to do this with the resources they have. Our office can diagnose dyslexia and help parents who implement them the most scientifically acceptable methods in a cost effective manner.

4. I think or have been told that my child might have autism; what should I do?

Autism is a neurological disorder whose symptoms start before 3 years of age; the most important thing to do is confirm the diagnosis as soon as possible. Although there is no one type of therapy that is best for any one patient, everyone agrees that the earlier therapy begins, the better. Ask your primary care provider to refer your for an evaluation.

5. I do not want to medicate my child and he has been diagnosed with or I think he has ADHD. What should I do?

Although medications can be helpful with some children, there are always other strategies that can be tried; most of these are based on the students strengths and weaknesses, which our testing reveals. We always give parents specific things they can do to help with their child's learning problems.

6. I am not sure insurance will cover the cost of my child's visit to your office; what should I do?

We take almost all AHCCCS (Medicaid) plans; this State and Federal system covers families up to 200% of the Federal poverty level. If parents don't have insurance, cash discounts are available. Our office has a contract with the Gila River Tribe, and we will help other Native American families navigate the complex tribal, Federal (IHS) and state systems that they must deal with- any parent with insurance questions should call our office.

7. What happens when I go to your office? Do I have to come back?

Once in our office, parents fill out a short questionnaire, are do an interview with the doctor on their first visit. Depending on the problem, the interview is 10 to 30 minutes. Most of the 1-11/2 hour visit is taken up with testing and possibly interviewing the child. The results of the testing and diagnosis are told to the parent an the first visit in most cases- occasionally more testing or observation is needed, usually not more than one additional visit.

Whether or not a patient returns for additional visits depends on the child's needs, you and your doctors preference, and insurance restrictions. Young children on psychotropic medications need to be seen frequently by us until they are stable and doing well. Older children on drugs like Ritalin can be followed by their primary care doctor- some parents like us to care for their child's developmental or learning problem because we are familiar with their testing and history and can evaluate their progress. Some primary care doctors do not have enough time to deal with complicated developmental problems and prefer that we take care of those issues for their patients. Finally, some insurance plans, especially some AHCCCS plans, place restrictions on who can be referred.