Q: Do parents typically overreact when they think their child has a problem?

A: Parents are the best observers of their children’s day-to-day growth and development because they spend so much time with the children. In most cases, parents who suspect that their child has autism will present it to their child’s doctor at a well-child visit as either a suspected speech or language delay or a problem with social development (with or without a speech-language problem). Most pediatricians take parents’ concerns about speech or language delay seriously and follow up with evaluation using standard screening methods. Concerns about social development should also be taken very seriously. In the Screening and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Filipek et al 1999), the Consensus Panel indicates,

Any concerns regarding problems with social development should always be taken seriously, as seriously as an older child’s complaint of back or chest pain. Unlike “stomachaches” and “headaches” which are common, self-limiting, and can often be treated symptomatically without a diagnostic workup, a complaint about of back or chest pain is rare and deserves investigation. Similarly, parents rarely complain of social delays or problems, so any and all such concerns should be immediately investigated. It is even more significant when parents voice additional concerns in the communication and behavior areas as well as in socialization.(452)

Children with autism and their families reap many benefits from early intervention. Treating parental concerns seriously and respectfully is important to the child, to the family, and to your relationship with them as a health care provider.

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