How to troubleshoot when something is wrong with a non verbal child.

It can be so distressing for everyone involved when something is wrong with your child and they can't tell you what, it's really hard to know where to start sometimes, when to take action and who can help.

A lot of families have to rely on intuition and sometimes this intuition won't always match a typical clinical presentation for that concern.

If your child is very distressed, crying differently and unable to settle it's important to seek medical attention quickly. It's important to know that your intuition in these situations is the evidence so don't be afraid to communicate what you are thinking and feeling could be going on.

If you have time, it is important to note some things down to share with the health professionals you are seeing. These include:

• Diagnosis and classifications that come with that.
• Recent height and weight - recent growth spurt, lack of growth, fast weight gain or weight loss can all be important indicators to share.
• Recent eating, drinking and sleeping habits.
• Have videos of your child on a good day to help show what you are explaining.
• Any videos you may have taken if it's been a longer decline such as a change in communication, mobility, tone or just generally in your child's personality.
• Any recent changes in medications.

It is important, where possible, to start labeling things in play on dolls or when your child falls, has bumps or is feeling unwell and teach a communication style your child responds to that can help them when things are wrong to communicate to you.

It's important to know that therapists and health professionals want you to speak up when you think something may be wrong, no matter how small. They want your parental input, even in therapy sessions where you think the therapist may know your child well. It's important you stop a session if you think something is too much, not working or uncomfortable. I know I have been guilty of leaving it thinking the therapist knows best but Dayna makes it clear they are needing your input.

The important final takeout from today's podcast is to remember we do not want to push our children through therapy if they are crying. If a child is distressed and crying they are not taking in anything and there is no advantage to continuing.