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A Mother’s Intuition: Managing Pediatric Care for Special Kids
Moms are incredibly perceptive. They can pinpoint a fever with a single touch, remember which kid is bothered by a tag in their shirt and distinguish a hungry cry from a tired cry.
But what happens when the concerns are more subtle?
Maybe your preschooler isn’t talking like others their age.
Maybe your second grader is bright but somehow still struggling in school.
Maybe your child seems overwhelmed by sounds or social situations.
For families who want a better answer than “let’s wait and see,” comprehensive pediatric specialty care can make all the difference.
The Power of Early Answers
High-achieving, attentive parents often sense early when something feels “off.” The big question is, where can they turn next?
That’s where a pediatric neuropsychologist becomes invaluable. At UNT Health Clinical Practice Group in Fort Worth, pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Samantha Saldana turns uncertainty into strategy for families, equipping patients and their parents with the tools they need to learn, grow and thrive.
A pediatric neuropsychologist evaluates how a child’s brain functions in real life, looking at attention, memory, language, executive function, learning differences, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum concerns and more. Rather than labeling a child, this kind of evaluation provides a detailed roadmap of how your child learns, what they struggle with, and how to support them at school and at home.
Photo courtesy of UNT Health Clinical Practice Group
When Hearing and Speech Aren’t Keeping up
Sometimes the issue isn’t behavior or learning – it’s communication.
If your child frequently says “what?” struggles with articulation, seems behind in language development, or becomes frustrated trying to express themselves, early support can be transformative.
Audiology services ensure that hearing concerns are identified early. Even mild or fluctuating hearing loss can impact speech, learning and behavior. This intervention could be as early as the newborn stage, with a follow-up hearing screen if there were abnormalities in the results of their hearing screen from the hospital.
Speech-language pathology for littles focuses on:
- Early language development
- Articulation and speech clarity
- Social communication skills
- Feeding or oral-motor concerns
- Support for children with developmental differences
Both audiology and speech-language pathology are offered at UNT Health Clinical Practice Group for patients of all ages to allow for early intervention. Many parents don’t realize that early intervention often means shorter intervention. Addressing concerns at age 3, 4, or 5 can prevent years of academic frustration later.
Specialized Care for Young Performers
Maybe your child doesn’t seem to have any delays, and your biggest challenge is keeping up with them as they pursue their passions! For students who spend their afternoons in the studio, rehearsal hall, or backstage, their bodies are their instruments and those instruments deserve specialized care.
Our UNT Health Performing Arts Medicine program supports dancers, vocalists, musicians, actors, and stage crew, with injury prevention, performance optimization and treatment tailored to the unique physical and vocal demands of their craft.
Whether it’s a dancer managing ankle pain before competition season, a violinist with shoulder strain, or a singer protecting their voice during show choir, our team understands the intensity and discipline these students bring to their art.
The expert care in our performing arts clinic is designed for all ages, and can help your child stay strong, confident and stage ready.
Coordinated Care for Busy Families
For women in the “sandwich” generation – caring for children and aging parents – time is your scarcest resource.
You may be scheduling soccer practice and neurology appointments. You’re managing PTA meetings and estate planning conversations. You do not have time to piece together care across three different cities.
UNT Health Clinical Practice Group integrates pediatric primary care, neuropsychology, audiology, speech therapy and performing arts medicine to create continuity for your family. Our front desk can even “appointment stack” – you could see your pediatrician for a well-child visit, then head upstairs to see your performing arts specialist.
Because You Trust Your Instincts
If you’ve been wondering whether to “wait and see” if your child needs specialized care, consider this your encouragement to take the next step. A mother’s intuition is powerful! Having clear answers brings confidence and peace of mind. At UNT Health, our role is to partner with you, offering thoughtful, comprehensive care that supports your child at every stage of development.
To schedule an appointment with Pediatric Primary Care, Pediatric Neuropsychology, the Speech & Hearing Center, or Performing Arts Medicine, call 817-735-3627.
