The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a clinical report on how pediatricians too can help children who do not making expected progress in school.

According to AAP, while traditionally, the school system has the responsibility for evaluation and management of children who have academic problems, pediatricians too can play an important role in a child’s academic success as part of a multidisciplinary team comprising of family, school and other related professionals.

Academic dysfunction may be a symptom of various health issues and psychosocial factors such as cognitive dysfunctions, emotional difficulties and disorders, autism spectrum disorder, adversity or trauma, stress in important relationships in and out of the home, attention deficits and undiagnosed or poorly-controlled chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes.

A thorough medical history can help when children face academic problems.  By early detection of a cause (neurologic, emotional, behavioral or a medical condition) and then ongoing monitoring, pediatricians can help in the academic progress of the child.

Pediatricians may also screen for exposures to environmental toxins such as lead and counsel families about safety measures such as wearing bicycle helmets to prevent traumatic head injury.

Following comprehensive evaluation, appropriate referrals for psychological and educational evaluations for conditions such as neurodevelopmental and language disorders, learning and intellectual disabilities, or emotional health issues can also help.

The report titled “School-aged children who are not progressing academically: considerations for pediatricians” is published online Sept. 23 in the journal Pediatrics.

(Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA