By going with the newborn to the paediatricianto check that it is healthy and adapting properly to ectopic life, alike It is advisable to see a paediatric neurologist. Such a visit can bring you a lot of peace of mind and knowledge and give you the opportunity to implement therapy quickly, which can counteract speech or eating problems in the future. Remember that there is no age too early to visit a specialist. Sometimes we even consult babies as young as a few days old. It all depends on the individual case, and prevention is the future of medicine.
How does the first neurology consultation go?
First, an interview with parents
First consultation with a paediatric neurologist involves a detailed interview with the parent. Upon entering the office, the neurologist asks the parent how he or she can help. The parent tells what concerns them and the therapist asks questions. These will be about the course of pregnancy, birth and infancy. Bring your child's health booklet with you and the results of any additional tests, if they have been carried out.
Although sometimes parents do not understand why paediatric neurologist asks so many questions, a thorough interview is essential in order to correctly identify the cause of any problems in your child.
Secondly, the examination of the child.
The neurologist carries out part of the examination by palpation - always with disposable gloves. The child then usually lies on a disinfected couch on his or her back. He checks whether the baby's suckling is normal and whether it is effective. He will check that the breast/bottle feeding position is comfortable for the baby and mother. He will also check any orofacial reflexes and assess the structure and function of the oral cavity structures. The length, width, thickness, location of the frenulum attachments and their functions will be carefully examined. He will advise on the selection of any accessories, such as bottles, cups, teething toys and teats.
If after neurological examination should the need arise, your therapist may recommend that you consult another specialist, such as an ENT specialist, neurologist, physiotherapist, osteopath or gastroenterologist. Extended diagnostics together with cooperation with other specialists ensures that the source of the problem is found. It will then be possible to help your little one quickly and effectively.
Neurologist and speech therapist - key differences
The speech therapist deals with speech defects. He or she is most often visited by children who put their tongue between their teeth, i.e. who have a "seplenia", who soften their voice when pronouncing and who have problems with the correct pronunciation of the R voice. The neurologist takes care of all this, what a speech therapist doesbut additionally works with children with speech disorders resulting from neurological damage and with infants. Patients of the neurologist can be children suffering from aphasia, dysphasia, dysarthia, cerebral palsy, autism, mutism, stammering, food selectivity. Food intake problems in infants or with anatomical abnormalities of the mouth is also part of speech therapy, where neurologists have excellent skills and knowledge.
Neurology red flags - when to ask a neurologist for help?
If your child has difficulty sucking:
- It is irritable when eating, it fusses and often pulls away from the breast.
- He eats very greedily and swallows a lot of air.
- Milk flows out of the corners of the mouth (sucking may be ineffective).
- A lot of downpour.
- It causes pain and injures mum's nipples.
- Makes loud sounds, e.g. smacking.
- There is an emerging problem with weight gain.
You are concerned about the anatomical structure of your child's articulatory apparatus:
- You suspect that the frenulum of the tongue is too short.
- The tongue is flaccid and constantly outside the mouth.
- The tongue is stiff and is pushed out of the mouth.
- The tongue is shifted to the right or left side.
- The baby's chin is severely retracted.
- The baby's nipple is displaced to the right or left side.
If you have a problem with expanding your baby's diet:
- He chuckles, chokes and has a vomiting reflex.
- He does not want to try new foods.
- He is unable to bite and chew food.
- He does not swallow food, but holds it in his mouth.
- He only eats selected food textures, such as ground.
You suspect impaired speech development:
- It does not make any sounds.
- It makes very rare and very quiet sounds.
- He doesn't grouse, he doesn't chatter.
- It does not imitate sounds.
- The pointing gesture is missing.
- There has been an arrest or regression in the child's speech development.
You get the impression that your child doesn't understand what you are saying to them.
Prepare a list of your questions in advance. But be careful: write down the questions you want to ask the therapist. Parents very often think they remember everything, and when they cross the threshold of the office, they miss out on many things they wanted to ask. If it happens that the child starts crying, the stressed parents forget almost everything. This is why we encourage you to make a list with your questions.
Is one consultation with a specialist enough for them to determine whether therapy will be necessary?
Sometimes the problem is evident and at the very first consultation the neurological diagnosis. Sometimes the problem is deeper and more complex. After observation over several meetings and after consultation with other professionals, a diagnosis is made and parents are given recommendations and a proposed plan neurological therapyj.
If your little one receives recommendations for therapy, don't worry. At Kids Medic, we combine therapy with fun. Our therapists are experienced and ensure that the atmosphere is child- and parent-friendly. Both need to feel comfortable and safe with us.
Of course, further diagnosis or therapy for the child will not always be necessary. It is the case that paediatric neurologist After one consultation, he concludes that everything is in order, and his intervention ends with an examination and advice. And that is what we wish for you.
Sign your child up for a neurology consultation - don't delay.
In conclusion, we would like to draw attention to a very important point. Children nowadays are often overstimulated, hyperactive and have problems concentrating and regulating their emotions. Parents, and consequently children, talk to each other less and less, read less and less books and sing less. Our eyes and our attention are directed at telephone, computer and television screens instead of at the other person. As a result, an increasing number of children are experiencing problems with speech, understanding, writing and food intake.
Remember that your child's articulatory system is already being formed in the foetal period and that any kind of abnormality may in future affect not only speech but also emotional development.
Finally, an appeal to all Parents! Talk to your children, sing to them, read to them, play with them, talk to them, look them in the eye, listen to them, be there for them and be attentive to them! Just that and so much more....
If you see a problem in your - a consultation with a paediatric neurologist is a good option. We invite you to sign up.
Kids Medic team of therapists
