The Helping Hand
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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
Severe and/or Multiple Disabilities
Speech and Language Impairments
The following are specialist with whom you may find yourself working or consulting in conjunction with child's special need or needs:
Teacher/TherapistPhysical education practitioner with additional training in adapting activities to needs of children with disabilities and/or special learning needs.Assistive Technology SpecialistAdvanced level professional who is knowledgeable about compensatory strategies and devices, including computer technology, that are used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability in school, home and/or other community environments.tAudiologistLicensed professional trained in the evaluating and rehabilitation of persons with disorders of hearing, including such services as comprehensive audiologist testing and design, selection and fitting of hearing aids and classroom amplification systems.Developmental PediatricianPediatrician with special training in the prevention, detection, treatment and monitoring of disorders of emotional, social, motor and cognitive development in infants, your children and adolescents.Early Intervention SpecialistAdvanced-level professional with education and /or nursing background providing diagnostic and intervention services to high-risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their families aimed at enhancing potential developments.Genetic CounselorHealth professional trained in advising families on what is known about hereditary conditions; conducts history taking and acts as a resource to support services; may specialize in pediatrics and works closely with a geneticist, the medical specialist.Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Professional who assesses, diagnoses and treats social, mental and emotional disorders in individuals, groups, couples and families.NeurologistA professional with advanced training who specializes in linguistics as a subspecialty of neuroscience; concerned with understanding the relationship between brain functions and language, including the areas of reading, auditory processing, written language and verbal memory.NeurophysiologistProfessional with specialty post-doctoral fellowship training in how problems and disorders of the brain may affect learning, behavior and social functioning.Occupational TherapistHealth professional who helps people learn or relearn the occupations of daily life, such as writing, eating and dressing, evaluates functional skills and teachers adaptive activities towards self-care; may specialize in children with impaired functions.OphthalmologistMedical doctor expert in the evaluation, treatment and surgical correction of disorders of the eye; may specialize in children.OpticianSpecialist who fills prescriptions for eye glasses and contact lenses.OrthodontistDental expert in evaluation and treatment of abnormally positioned teeth.OrthopedistMedical doctor focused on prevention and correction of deformities of bones, joints, muscles and connective tissues; may specialize in the care of children.OrthopedistsSpecialist in design and application of devices to straighten, correct or assist orthopedic disabilities.PediatricianMedical doctor specializing in total care of infants through adolescents; many with subspecialties such as allergies, behavior, learning disorders, endocrinology, etc.Pediatric NeurologistMedical doctor devoted to evaluation and treatment of children with conditions affecting the nervous system.Pediatric Nurse PractitionerAd advanced practice RN specializing in routine well-child care, treatment of minor illnesses and management of some chronic disorders for infants through young adults; may work in practice with a physician or independently.Pediatric PhysiatristPhysician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who focuses on restoring function to injured infants, children and adolescents.PedodontistDentist specializing in the care of children's teeth.Physical TherapistHealth professional concerned with movement dysfunction and the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic and neuralgic conditions, performing such functions as assessing joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, and providing therapeutic exercise towards performance of activities of daily living.PsychiatristMedical physician specializing in the treatment and prevention of mental disorders; frequently medical consultant to mental health counselors, such as psychologists and social workers.Recreation TherapistLicensed and/or certified professional that selects and provides recreational activities designed to improve function in persons with mental, physical or emotional disabilities.Rehabilitation EngineerBiomedical engineering specialist who applies knowledge and skills to the development of assistive devices for people with physical disabilities; works closely with adaptive equipment specialist.Respirator TherapistHealth professional trained to conduct diagnostic tests, provide treatment and maintain life support for patients with heart and breathing problems.School Nurse/Specialized Physical Health Care NurseRN providing comprehensive well-child services in schools and specialized interventions for children with chronic physical disabilities.School PsychologistMental health professional serving as a consultant to teachers and parents to help in understanding how children develop and learn; assesses and tests for child's abilities, academic achievement, social/emotional development and adaptive behavior; and recommends interventions towards maximum functioning. (Related to child psychologist).Special Education TeacherEducator with a certified designated specialty of teaching children with disabilities.Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP)Licensed professionals who evaluate, treat and prevent disorders of communication and swallowing in infants through adults, including work with language, memory and speech disorders.
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