Learn more about developmental and behavioral disorders in children.

A growing child can greatly benefit from visiting their pediatrician regularly for routine checkups. No, a child doesn’t have to be sick to visit the doctor. These regular wellness visits can help our pediatrician spot issues such as developmental delays and behavioral disorders that require special care and treatment. Here’s what you should know about common developmental and behavioral problems in kids and how a pediatrician can help,

Types of Developmental Disorders

Developmental disorders fall under the categories of,

• Cognitive (e.g., mental retardation; learning disabilities)
• Motor (e.g., cerebral palsy; muscular dystrophy; spinal atrophies)
• Behavior (e.g., anxiety disorders; autism; ADHD)
• Vision, hearing and speech (e.g., delayed language acquisition; hearing or vision impairments)

Some of the most common types of developmental disorders in children include,

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• ADHD
• Genetic disorders
• Intellectual disabilities
• Spina bifida
• Down syndrome

Signs of Developmental and Behavioral Disorders

Warning signs and when they appear seem to vary from child to child. Some parents notice developmental delays as early as infancy, while others may not notice these concerns until they start school. Some warning signs include,

• Difficulty learning and academic troubles
• Delayed speech, unclear speech or difficulties communicating with others
• Social withdrawal
• Delay in crawling, sitting up or walking
• Has trouble completing everyday tasks such as grooming, washing hands or getting dressed
• Has trouble focusing on an activity
• Intense or extreme behaviors such as aggression, anxiety, irritability or frequent temper tantrums

When to See a Doctor

If you notice any of these delays, we understand how concerning this can be. The good news is that you don’t immediately need to run to a specialist for help. All you have to do is turn to your pediatrician for an evaluation. A pediatrician can perform a thorough assessment to determine if your child may be displaying signs of a developmental or behavioral disorder. Your pediatrician may recommend more in-depth testing, which may require turning to a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Suppose your child displays behavioral issues, or you notice that they aren’t reaching certain developmental milestones. In that case, it’s important to speak with your pediatrician at their next appointment or to call their office to find out if you should bring your child in for an evaluation.

Timberlake Pediatrics, serving Sacramento, CA, and the nearby region, offers our patients a variety of services, including well-care visits. Unlike a sick visit, you bring your child in to see one of our practitioners, who'll perform a physical and provide your little one with other care as well.

Purpose of a Well Visit 

The entire concept of well-care visits in Sacramento, CA, is to provide your little one with routine diagnostics and provide you with advice to keep your child healthy. It's also a time to ensure your tot is updated on his or her vaccinations. Essentially, these visits are to detect any issues early and help you prevent them in the future. 

What to Expect 

Before you arrive for the well-care visit, write down a list of any questions you have. That way, you can remember them when you're in the office. 

During the visit, a pediatrician will take your little one's weight and height and compare it to other kids of his or her gender and age. This will give us an idea of how your child is growing. 

We'll ask about any changes in your loved one's life and give you a chance to express your concerns. 

These visits are also excellent times to provide your loved one with any vaccinations recommended for his or her age. If you're having any concerns, we can go over those at the appointment to ensure your child receives the vaccinations that benefit him or her the most, and that you're comfortable with them. 

If your child is around the age of puberty, we can assess him or her for signs. If your child is around that age, we can answer his or her questions or any of yours. 

Some kids may require other testing, particularly those who have a chronic illness. We can then intervene as necessary and change his or her management program. 

Intervention 

If we notice your child isn't hitting the milestones or has signs of a chronic illness, we can intervene with therapy, medication, or other intervention. We may need to perform diagnostics to confirm in some cases.  

Lifestyle Advice 

The entire point of these visits is to make sure your child stays healthy for years to come. So, we'll provide you with suggestions on how to improve your little one's health and optimize it. 

At Timberlake Pediatrics, serving Sacramento, CA, and the general vicinity, our pediatricians offer well-care visits. At these appointments, we can make sure your child is healthy and intervene as necessary. We can also help you keep your child healthy and safe.

Book an appointment by calling us at (916) 688-5040.

Keep your child safe while enjoying fun in the sun.

School’s out for summer, and your child may be gearing up for outdoor adventures, summer camps, swim team, and other activities. Of course, keeping your child safe is of the utmost importance to all parents and pediatricians. Here are some helpful tips to keep your little one safe all summer long.

Recognize Signs of Heat Exhaustion

When kids get dehydrated, which is quite common on hot summery days, they are more at risk of heatstroke and exhaustion. By recognizing the symptoms of heat exhaustion in your children, you’ll be able to bring them indoors and prevent them from developing heat stroke (which can be incredibly dangerous, especially for young children). Signs of heat exhaustion include,

• Body temperature between 100 and 104 F
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Increased thirst and sweating
• Clammy, cool skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting

When you notice these symptoms, it’s essential that you bring your child into a cool place and make sure that they drink lots of liquids to stay hydrated. You can also help lower their body temp by applying cool compresses to their skin.

Keep Kids Protected from the Sun

Sunscreen isn’t just for adults; it’s also for kids. Just one sunburn can increase your child’s risk for skin cancer in the future. That’s why it’s important that you have them lather up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

It’s important that you apply a generous amount to their face and body about 30 minutes before going outside. If they are going to be playing or swimming outdoors, it’s essential that they reapply immediately after coming out of the way or if they are sweating.

Know Water and Swimming Safety

Summer often means a lot of time spent in the pool or by the water. While the water can be a ton of fun for kids, it’s also important that they practice proper water safety habits to prevent drowning and other accidents. Make sure to keep an eye on your child, even if there is a lifeguard on duty. If your child is new to swimming, you may want to enroll them in a swim class that can help them develop strong swimming skills.

Keep Bug Bites at Bay

Along with protecting your child from the sun’s powerful rays, you must also protect them from mosquitos and other pests that could sting or bite them outdoors. Apply insect repellent before your child goes outside. There are many insect repellent options on the market these days, some of which are made from DEET-free and natural ingredients that are safe for all ages. Ask your child’s pediatrician if you are unsure which insect repellent is safe for them.

Stay Hydrated

Summertime is the best time to be a kid, and these helpful tips will ensure a smart, safe, and fun season for the whole family. Don’t forget to schedule your child’s back-to-school physical with your pediatrician, especially before the sports season begins.

The very things that make the outdoors nicer and prettier during certain seasons of the year, can also exacerbate allergies in your child. When exposed to an allergen, such as pollen, your child's immune system overreacts by producing specific antibodies that release certain chemicals in their body. The release of these chemicals is responsible for causing an allergic reaction. In Sacramento, pollen counts are at their peak and are known to exacerbate allergies from March through June. The number one approach to managing allergies is to be aware of your child's triggers. The pediatricians at Timberlake Pediatrics can help manage your child's seasonal allergies in Sacramento, CA.

What help will you provide for my child's seasonal allergies?

Knowing is half the battle. In the case of seasonal allergies, we might even propose that knowing is more than half the battle. Once you and your child's pediatrician know your child's allergens, we can advise you on how best to manage them.  Treatments that may be suggested for your child's seasonal allergies in Sacramento, CA are:

• Over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines dampen the response of the immune system when exposed to allergens.
• Decongestants and steroid sprays will help the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• Immunotherapy is another treatment that we provide. This is a long-term process consisting of allergy shots. These shots contain very small amounts of the allergen intending to get your child's body used to the allergen so that less and less of a reaction is produced.

What are the symptoms of allergies I should look for in my child?

If you notice the symptoms below in your child after being outdoors, you may suspect an allergy. Symptoms to look for are:

• Stuffy nose/sneezing
• Itchiness in the ears or roof of the mouth
• Tightening of the throat/difficulty swallowing
• A rash consisting of hives or welts
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes
• Asthmatic-like symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath

Is there anything I can do at home to help my child?

Strategies to implement at home to fight seasonal allergies include:

• Avoidance of known allergens is the best strategy, especially those known to cause a strong reaction.
• Control the amount of dust in your home, especially in your child's bedroom
• Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
• Use a humidifier in drier areas of your home
• Close windows and use air conditioning to combat pollen entering your home
• Make sure your child is adequately hydrated
• A medical alert card and an epinephrine pen should always be carried by both you and your child in the case of a severe reaction.

Contact us

Schedule an appointment with one of our pediatricians at Timberlake Pediatrics to learn how to best manage your child's seasonal allergies in Sacramento, CA. You can reach us by calling (916) 688-5040.

Is your child displaying symptoms of ADHD? The caring and talented team at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan to help.

Understanding ADHD In Children

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a common disorder among children, especially between the ages of four and 18. It can be a challenge for everyone involved – including the child, parents, and teachers. One of the most important steps that you can take if you think your child has ADHD is to gain an understanding of the condition, its symptoms, and how your pediatrician can help.

Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD produces many symptoms that can appear as though a child is intentionally acting out, ignoring you or their teachers, and being defiant in following instructions. Understanding the symptoms of ADHD can help you cope better as you know that it’s a disorder and not just your child “being bad.” It can also help you learn mechanisms to help them change their behaviors.

ADHD symptoms span three different categories: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The following are some of the common signs that a child might have this disorder.

• Constant daydreaming
• Gets distracted easily – from both work and play
• Cannot seem to follow instructions
• Disorganized and forgetful
• Squirms frequently
• Always moving or talking
• Impatient
• Answers questions before you’re through asking
• Can’t sit down for long

It’s important to understand, though, that kids are kids. Every child has the potential to display some of these signs. For example, most kids don’t naturally do a great job of keeping their space clean and organized. Some just like to talk. And it’s hard for children to stay focused when something much more interesting has caught their eye.

Also, some children do really well in one setting, like in an organized classroom, but act differently at home when there are toys and video games.

In short, displaying one or a few of these signs does not necessarily mean that there is a disorder. Children typically are not diagnosed with the condition unless they display multiple symptoms in more than one setting, and those symptoms have to have been present for several months.

The team at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA will start by ensuring that ADHD is actually the culprit. If it is, they’ll develop a treatment plan according to your child’s symptoms and needs. This might include medication, therapy, and lifestyle guidance to help the entire family, such as time management and study strategies.

If you’re concerned your child is living with ADHD, let the team at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA help you navigate the disorder by calling (916) 688-5040.