If you’re being told to ‘watch and wait’ on your child’s health issues, here’s what you can do

When my daughter was 3 years old, I noticed she would repeat syllables when she said certain words, making a sort of ah-ah-ah sound before completing the word. I flagged it for her pediatrician, who advised us to watch it and wait, as it wasn’t impacting her socially and academically.

The next year, her preK teacher noted my daughter’s voice “skipped” when she talked. The teacher assured us she would likely grow out of it—to watch and wait it out.

As we watched and waited, her stutter grew more pronounced. Other children began to take notice, and eventually, she did, too. As a parent, I felt helpless.

In a turn of fate, that same year I became the CEO of the leading provider of PreK–12 remote special education-related and mental health evaluation and teletherapy services, and gained access to its vast network of clinicians. I shared my family’s experience with a speech language pathologist (SLP), and she encouraged us to have my daughter evaluated for a speech disorder.

The SLP conducted the evaluation, fully live, online, through a teletherapy video and audio platform. My daughter was diagnosed with disfluency, as evidenced by stuttering of moderate severity. The SLP recommended speech therapy sessions twice a week, with an expectation for improvement in six to eight weeks.

Finally, we not only had a diagnosis but a game plan. Five years of worry was resolved in a single hour.

My daughter is not an outlier. The demand for pediatric evaluations—and services—is on the rise. In a recent survey, 45% percent of audiologists and 69% of SLPs indicated they are getting more referrals and requests for evaluation of young children than they did before the pandemic. Meanwhile, schools are facing staffing shortages and growing backlogs, leaving them little room to offer evaluations beyond those explicitly mandated for students. And private evaluators often have long waitlists and a high price tag.

Concerned families can’t continue to “watch and wait.” We deserve faster, affordable options when we seek information about our child’s learning and development.

In the post-pandemic era, more and more Americans are accessing healthcare online, making it not only more convenient to get care amid busy work and family life but also easier to find the best possible professional, without the constraints of geography. Six in 10 parents say they’ve sought the help of teletherapy or online therapy services for their children.

Here’s what to do if you’re getting the “watch and wait” answer 

Advocate with your pediatrician 

If you’re getting a “watch and wait” answer, it’s okay to push to ask for a referral to child psychologists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. Ask for their guidance on what kind of professional and evaluation might be most relevant. Remember, you know your child best.

Ask your school district 

As districts face shortages and backlogs, thousands are embracing teletherapy. Reach out in writing to your child’s school district to inquire about their remote evaluation services—you may be able to get an evaluation faster. The district can also provide resources or referrals to certified professionals who conduct remote assessments.

Consider online platforms 

A range of online platforms, including a new option from my company, now exist to connect families with licensed clinical professionals. From initial screenings to comprehensive evaluations, these services offer a range of options to help you get your child assessed from the comfort of the home environment.

In states like California, Florida and Ohio, families now have the option to directly access an expert clinician for a consultation and learning evaluation through a secure online platform—anytime, anywhere and at a fraction of the cost. In-person comprehensive learning evaluations can cost two to four times more, depending on where you live.

Families can connect with providers who have deep experience in delivering remote evaluations, and the platform is kid friendly and secure. In many cases, remote evaluation means a quick turnaround, averaging about two weeks from the consult to a completed evaluation, and flexible scheduling can accommodate busy parents.

Educate yourself so you can take action 

Organizations like Understood.org and state nonprofits offer guidance on what to expect and how to navigate the evaluation process. Understanding the process and findings will help you advocate for your child and seek the support they need. If something needs to be addressed in the school setting, an evaluation will help you work effectively with educators to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is tailored to your child’s needs.

An evaluation may make it easier for families to partner with their school to secure accommodations, request enrollment in gifted and talented programs or to inform discussions with medical professionals so families are confident they’re getting the right support.

The results of my daughter’s evaluation were life changing. Just two months into speech therapy, her speech began to smooth, and shortly after that I watched in awe as she flawlessly read an essay aloud to a large audience. I will never forget the emotion I felt watching her speak so clearly and confidently—a blend of relief that she had overcome her disfluency, combined with guilt that I hadn’t found the solution sooner now that I knew how solvable it was.

Every parent deserves access to expert insights into the needs of their child, just as every child deserves access to the help they need to thrive.