Everyone is unique, for better or for worse. Sometimes this means that your child might have different healthcare needs than other children. Some health issues are obvious from birth or infancy, while others might develop later.
In any case, the most important thing is to look after your child the best way you can, and that can mean making adjustments to help them grow up and have a full life.
Pre and Postnatal Checks
Information is power, and this applies to your child’s health as well. The more you know about what your child might have to contend with, the more equipped you will be to help them. This is why pre and postnatal checks are so important.
Prenatal checks will look for potential health problems that your child might develop in the womb. This, combined with checks of your family history can help determine whether your child will be healthy or whether they will need extra help.
Postnatal checks and newborn screening tests will make sure that your baby is growing and can check for some health problems that might not be obvious before birth. Some health problems and developmental disorders become clearer as your child gets older.
The sooner you know about a potential health problem, the sooner your doctors can provide treatment and advice to give targeted care.
Sight and Hearing
Some schools offer eye and ear tests, but it’s best to get your child tested earlier if you suspect that they might have a problem.
Poor eyesight becomes more obvious in school as your child might have headaches from eye strain or might struggle to see if they’re near the back of the classroom. But just because this is a common problem, it doesn’t mean it’s not important to fix. If you or the other parent needs glasses, your child is more likely to as well.
Hearing problems might be less common, but it’s best to catch it early with your children. Again, there is a genetic component to this. You might have to learn sign language as a family or look for other options. An audiologist can help you find hearing aids tailored to your lifestyle needs, so your child can have them fitted. Or you could consider a cochlear implant.
Mental Health
Many young people struggle with mental health problems, especially if they also have a physical health problem that limits them or makes them feel alienated from their peers. Teenagers can struggle even more, as they want to fit in with others from their school.
It’s important that your children feel supported and listened to. Try to help them as much as you can as a parent, and foster an environment where your children feel as though they can approach you and talk things through.
In some cases, it’s appropriate to find mental health care for your teenager so they can get extra needed support. Every child is different, but the most important thing is that you care for them as individuals.
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