Paediatrician

Paediatricians manage medical conditions in children and young people. Community paediatricians work outside hospital and look after children with developmental, behavioural and social needs, and children with disabilities.

How you get to see one: by referral referral When a professional passes your child on to a specialist team for assessment or treatment. A GP, school or health visitor can usually make one. Read the full definition of referral . For a school-age child this is often through school or the SENCO SENCO The teacher in your child's school who leads support for children with special educational needs. They are usually the quickest person for a parent to reach. Read the full definition of SENCO , or through your GP. Health visitors can refer younger children. You cannot normally book a community paediatrician yourself on the NHS.

Can they diagnose? Yes. Paediatricians are named by NICE NICE guidelines Expert advice that tells the NHS how to assess and treat health conditions. It is used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not Scotland. Read the full definition of NICE guidelines as one of the professions who can diagnose ADHD ADHD ADHD is a difference in the way a child's brain works. It affects how they pay attention, how much energy they have, and how easily they act on impulse. Read the full definition of ADHD , they can carry out every part of an autism assessment, and they are one of the professionals the NHS names for assessing developmental co-ordination difficulties. They are doctors, so they can also prescribe ADHD medicine.

What to ask: whether they have specific training in neurodivergence Neurodivergent Neurodivergent means a brain that works in its own way, not the way most people expect. Autistic people, and people with ADHD or dyslexia, are all neurodivergent. Read the full definition of Neurodivergent , what the wait is, and what support is available while you wait.