The child neurologist and early detection of behavioral, learning, and developmental disorders

A child neurologist or pediatric neurologist is a doctor who treats children with nervous system problems. Everything related to the child’s brain falls within pediatric neurology. This includes from the beginning of pregnancy to the end of development.

Nervous system problems can start in the brain, spine, nerves, or muscles. This can lead to problems such as seizures, headaches, or developmental delays. Early detection of behavioral, learning, and growth disorders is important to help the child develop correctly.

We spoke with Manuel Antonio Fernández, Neuropediatrician Expert in Learning and Behavior, (ADHD, Dyslexia…) Director of the INANP Center, Director of the Neuropediatrics Master’s Program, who granted us this interesting interview:

What are the main problems that the neuropediatrician works on?

As an example, I can highlight genetic disorders, epilepsy, childhood migraines, and many other things.

It is a very broad area that is still in the process of development in Spain. We are few neuropediatricians, and it is an area little known by other professionals in the health sector. I would dare to say more, the figure of the child neurologist is very little known among parents. Most do not even know that we exist, and of course, they are not clear in what situations we can help them.

Is there a difference between neurological problems and neurodevelopmental problems?

Indeed, neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of neurological problems associated with altered brain maturation in a child. Neurodevelopmental disorders include autism, mental retardation, hyperactivity, or anorexia, for example.

This issue is of great importance today since most consultations received in a pediatric neurology unit, whether public or private, are related to developmental problems like these.

Of the problems you work with, which ones cover a greater percentage? Which are diagnosed more frequently?

Within neuropediatrics, I have specialized in neurodevelopmental disorders. Most of the cases I deal with on a daily basis are children with Developmental Delay, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism.

This group of disorders is one of the most frequent and also one of the ones that produces the greatest repercussions both for the child and for their family. In addition, because in most cases there are no alterations in the usual tests such as electroencephalogram, resonance, and the like, they are among the most difficult to evaluate and diagnose. And I fear that for the same reason, they are among the most misunderstood disorders.

Do you think that there is currently an increase in neurodevelopmental problems, or could it be that there is greater and earlier detection?

Indeed, that is the case. There are no more developmental disorders than there have always been in general. Evaluation techniques have advanced a lot. If we add to this the greater social awareness about these issues, we will find the answer to your question.

When we see that some studies show high numbers of children with developmental disorders, we have to ask ourselves about the criteria chosen for diagnosis. Today there is a much greater knowledge of this issue, and this means that these children are diagnosed much earlier and much better.

Are parents attentive and knowledgeable about the possible problems that their children present?

The truth is that in the last 10 years we have noticed very important changes in this issue. Parents have been and continue to be very attentive to how the evolution and development of their children occurs.

There is an increasing dedication on the part of families to these aspects, which means that cases reach us earlier, and we can avoid major complications.

The problem lies in the lack of information that parents have about the normal development process of a child. There is a lot of information on the internet, but not all of it is reliable. That is precisely why we launched our website elneuropediatra.es

It is the best way we have to promote a better understanding by parents of all aspects related to the neurological development of their children, so that they can detect alterations and anomalies.

We have created 3 free guides for parents grouping the three most relevant areas. With them, we hope to do our bit to help parents in their complex task of educating and raising their children.

In the vast majority of cases, there is a lack of knowledge in this regard on the part of teachers and those responsible, both the management of the center and the guidance team.

I fear that this is one of the biggest problems we usually encounter. I see every day in the consultation how there are centers where they directly ignore this type of difficulty. The most frustrating sensations occur when, even after a diagnosis, the centers refuse to intervene to establish methodological adaptation measures or support necessary for these cases. It is essential to advance training on these issues in the educational field. Until we achieve this, the 25% school failure rate that we suffer will never decrease.

Have you encountered cases of young people of advanced age and even adults who have not been diagnosed correctly due to lack of detection?

We are receiving more and more cases of this type. Teenagers whose parents tell you how their children have always had problems in their studies, poor concentration, and even clear school failure without anyone giving them an explanation of why or doing anything to solve it.

Most of these families come to us through two different channels. One of them is the recommendation of an acquaintance who has gone through the same situation until reaching our center. The other is after reading the information on our website. This shows that we still have a long way to go.

Have you perceived through your diagnosed minor patients if there has been an increase in bullying?

Do you consider multidisciplinary collaboration and among all areas of the minor to be convenient and adequate for the maximum development of their potential and in an inclusive way?

Of course. The more efforts we put in this direction and the more we get involved in developing multidisciplinary initiatives that include professionals from the educational sector with those from the health sector working jointly with the families themselves (parents and children), the better results we will have in our work.

Our job is to promote the maximum possible development of people in all areas