There are three professions that hardly anyone thinks of, and that make the decisive difference for some families. Let's look at who they are and when you need them.
A quick note first: the job titles and the financial benefits are not named the same everywhere in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The idea behind them is the same. At the crucial points I'll tell you what it's called in your country.
The neurologist (paediatric neurologist)
They come into play when there are signs of something physical in the nervous system. Important for context: in all three countries this is not a separate medical specialty, but a paediatrician with a focus or specialisation in paediatric neurology. So you'll find this person under "paediatric neurology" or "child neurology".
Concrete everyday signs where the path there is worthwhile:
- Brief blackouts in which your child seems absent, freezes in the middle of an activity and is briefly unresponsive. Such "absence seizures" are the most common form of epilepsy in childhood and can be assessed well.
- Recurring tics that persist over several months or are very burdensome.
- Striking coordination problems, such as frequent stumbling, unsteady balance or great difficulty with sequences of movement.
The neurologist clarifies whether something physical is behind it, for example epilepsy. Often it's precisely about being able to reassuringly rule that out, and not rarely the all-clear comes in the end. A practical tip: if possible, briefly film such an episode with your phone. That helps the assessment enormously.
Distinction: The neurologist deals with physical causes in the nervous system, the child and adolescent psychiatrist with emotional and behavioural matters. With tics the two fields overlap; here both can be responsible.
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