Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

On one of DS's EI eval reports the psychologist recommended getting a nuerologist consult. The pediatrician suggested a developmental ped eval. (I wasn't there for that appt-DH was) I didn't get to ask the difference betwen the two with the ped.

Is there one dr that would be "better" than the other. DS was diagnosis with "possible" Pdd-NOS. I received EI ABA therapy only 4 days a week. No OT or PT

I'm leaning towards a nuerologist because I feel that it could be confirmed that the brain is OK- if that makes any sense. After all the evals and the current therapy, I feel that DS is going through too much and I don't want to take him to one specialist who tells me that I need to take him to another specialist.

Any recommendations? We are in the Lynbrook/RVC area. But I am willing to travel for a great dotor.

Re: Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

I can't offer any help except to say I aam in similar boat, trying to figure out pediatric developmental vs. Neuro. But I'm becoming increasingly frustrated when I call Cohens Childrens Hosp/ Dr. Adelman and they tell me they may be able to offer me a January appointment. Other places are telling me November, December. Am I totally naive or why can't I get my son seen in a reasonable time period to determine the next steps to take? He's 18 months and already in EI for 2 months for speech and special ed and we are looking at ABA as suggested by our therapist. I just can't wrap my mind around why it takes so long to see a pediatric developmental specialist... by the time they can see him, he's going to be a completely different child and I'm getting sick of playing the patience game.

The only help I can offer is that the only appointment I was able to secure within next month is at Good Sam with Ped Neuro (Dr. C. Cheong).

We are fighting to get ABA services for him, just speech and special ed 3x each a week for now.

If anyone can offer any help with finding a developmental pediatrician that can see my son, or point me in the right direction with anything, please do. Thanks so much!

Good luck JDandMe!

Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

After my son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS we decided to make an appointment with a Neurologist. He evaluated my son, decided there wasn't an issue there and then referred us to a Developmental Pediatrician. She then diagnosed him with High Functioning Autism.

Don't know if this info helps, but the Developmental Pediatrician is the one who provided us with her recommendations for him. We brought that with us to our district meeting. Having the diagnosis definitely opened a lot of doors in regards to services.

Good Luck!

Re: Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

Like the above poster, I too have been frustrated by the waits for a dev. pediatrician. I made my appt in februrary for Dr. Adesman and the first available was August. (only 1 1/2 months to go now!) Back when DS was 20 months old I took him to a different dev. pediatrician, specifically because he had a short wait time and well, I know why the wait was so short

Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

We go to both Dr silverman (Dev pediatrican) and Neuro Is Dr. Kharode from Winthrop. My son has possible mild CP in right foot because not walking yet at 20M. He is taking steps now though & can go to about 10 steps. I would suggest going to both. I find it very helpful to get 2nd/3rd opinions. I also feel the Dev ped is more through who will sit on floor & really watch to sit what child is doing.

Re: Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND INPUT, VERY APPRECIATED!!!

To the last poster, very very very similar situation for my 20 month old nephew. He's wasn't walking either, is receiving OT servicves. Three weeks ago, my sister took him to a pediatric nerurologist who told my sister he had cerebral palsy. The next day he took five steps. He has now been walking 30-40 steps at a time. And increasing every day. Basically, my sisters PG version of that doctor's asesssment? Screw her and her diagnosis. =) (Incidentally Dr. Cheong at Good Sam- one of the only ones without a crazy waiting list)

Re: Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist

I recently took DS to a neurologist. He just turned 2 and receives EI for.PT and was just evaluated again for speech and qualified. I have an ed. Eval. On minday.

Both his ped. And the neurologist said.no way on the pdd nos. Eeg was normal. I saw dr. Robin smith. He was wonderful and spent an hour with my son. His office was in woodbury. I waited about 6 weeks for the appt.

I don't know if i should see a developmental ped. As well. But for now, i feel like i am doing all i can. He is getting the EI and both ped. And nuero. Agree on the speech and gross motor delays, which is getting the services for. I may look into it closer to age three if i need a diagnosis For CPSE.

Re: Dev Pediatrician vs. Nuerologist