What is the difference between a community paed and a developmental paed?

[Mouth]

We have an appointment with a community paed in a couple of months. I read a comment on another thread saying a 'community paed is as useful as a chocolate teapot'. Perhaps the GP and developmental paed route is better? Can I do both at once? If I go to the appointment in May and think it was a waste of time, can I then go to the GP to try to get dev paed appointment? (Even if we're not discharged by the community paed?)

Thanks for your help!

it depends on your area I think, certainly here some of the community paeds are also developmental paeds. Can you ring the number on your appointment letter and ask what the community paeds specialism is? Or try your pct website, that may have the info.

The community paed will refer you on to the developmental paed.

It's another screening triage type thing. A sceptic would suggest a delaying tactic........

The community screens and refers to developmental paed. They do basic assessments to see whether further investigation is necessary. The appointment will be comparatively short compared to an appointment with a developmental paed.

In our case the community paed and the developmental paed were the same person which was a right ole rigmarole coz although she said DS had autism she couldn't dx until she had seen him in her developmental paed capacity which had a year waiting list

Thanks. So it may not be a waste of time! I was a bit worried when I read that chocolate teapot comment as I've hummed and ahh-ed for a long time before going ahead with this (and still am wondering whether I'm doing the right thing - for all the usual reasons) and so I want to do it right.

The triage/screening idea makes sense. Think we are talking about a fairly borderline child, so not expecting any sudden, if any, decisions or diagnoses anyway...

In my experience they are one and the same person (four different areas of the uk) with the one exception of Oxford, where the 'developmental' paed worked out of the assessment centre (HEPAC). They just get called different things depending where you live.

No difference.

The comment may have been due to the fact that paeds are usually generalists, and know a little about all conditions (but may have their own special interests), so some areas will ensure you are matched with a likely prof.

In my experience, we tend to use the paed merely as a referral agency. By and of themselves they are no use to us, but are invaluable in this regard.

(should add that only the more complex kids went to the assessment centre for the week long assessments. Everyone else was assessed by the comm paed.)

I think the chocolate teapot thing stems from being able to diagnose only and then send you on your way to battle the 'system' for intervention and treatment (except medication) alone.

My DS2 was DXed by the community paed, whose specialisms included autism. In my case, the HV referred us to the community paeds and they specifically put us on this paed's list as it was thought most appropriate. We didn't have to wait for a re-referral and DS was DXed within 6 months of the first appt with the paed, although that was more than 6 months after I started having concerns.

Thanks again. I am quite apprehensive about the appointment as I don't know what to expect - whether they will ask me and my DH questions as well as observing DS1 and perhaps asking him questions too. My DH is likely to emphasise the positives and downplay the 'problem behaviour'. I think I'll need to write a list and some examples / daily diary before we go. I don't want to say too much in front of DS1 though as I am just going to tell him it's a 'check-up with a doctor' with the promise of chocolate and swimming afterwards!

Yes - good idea. Or I could stay for a bit at the end and DS could go out with DH for the chocolate. Either way, at least then I could just talk straight, without having to try to explain everything in code! I could alos give the paed a list / some examples on paper maybe...

Yes, on paper is always good. HCP ignore paperwork less than verbal rumblings of an anxious parent.

Definitely get everything down on paper, even if just to stop you forgetting something. I always get a bit 'emotional' during these appts and having thought through everything in advance and having it writing is vital.