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I Am Worried About My School-Age Child
Last updated on Jun 4, 2020 in CAR Autism Roadmap™
Sometimes, due to grades, behaviors, or just a general gut feeling, parents may worry that their child has “something going on” that may help explain difficulties their child is experiencing. Perhaps you are getting calls from the school, or maybe you notice the way your child struggles in a social situation.
If you think that your child is not developing at the same rate or in the same way as most children his or her age, it is often a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician first. Explain your concerns. Tell the doctor what you have observed (or what has been reported to you by teachers and others) and have a few examples ready. The pediatrician may provide you with a developmental questionnaire to complete that will help identify further areas of difficulty. (One questionnaire frequently used for school-age children with social or communication concerns is the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)). Or your pediatrician may refer you to another doctor or specialist who can better evaluate your child’s needs.
At the same time, it is always a good idea to contact your local school district and ask to have your child evaluated to see if he or she has a disability that can be addressed through special education services. This evaluation is free of charge. You can learn more how to have a child evaluated by contacting your neighborhood school and asking the office staff, the school psychologist, or counselor about how to arrange for an educational evaluation. More information about educational evaluations is found within the CAR Autism Roadmap™.
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The Center for Autism Research and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia do not endorse or recommend any specific person or organization or form of treatment. The information included within the CAR Autism Roadmap™ and CAR Resource Directory™ should not be considered medical advice and should serve only as a guide to resources publicly and privately available. Choosing a treatment, course of action, and/or a resource is a personal decision, which should take into account each individual's and family's particular circumstances.