You've finally got your child's first appointment scheduled. Now what? You realize that the appointment will only last somewhere between an hour and an hour-and-a-half. Like all parents, you feel like you won't have time to get it all out. The easiest thing to do is to make a list of concerns regarding your child. Do not assume that what you have to say is trivial or nonessential. You don't know that, and a good professional would rather have too much information than not enough.

Get Organized

Take your file of information with you. Start with a record of your child's last physical exam, along with a history of your child's development. Also note whether any stressful events have occurred within the last year.

Remember the mood chart that recorded your child's symptoms you were advised to make? Now is the time to share that mood chart. It doesn't have to be pretty or especially presentable. But it needs to be easy to read and somewhat organized so that the professional can understand it.

Last, be prepared to answer questions about your child's sleep, appetite, behavior, school performance, and any information that may have been reported to you by others, such as teachers.

At the Office

Arrive a few minutes early so that you can complete any paperwork that is required. Resist the urge to chat with the other parents who may be in the waiting room. Everyone has a story to tell, but listening to others at this time is apt to make you even more nervous and uncomfortable. In turn, your child will pick up on your anxiety. It is best that you and your child remain calm so that you will be ready when your time comes.

You can expect that the professional you see will come up with what is known as a “working diagnosis.” This merely means that your professional has some sort of idea about what is wrong with your child, and this gives him an initial idea of what direction to take next. Depending on what happens through the next few appointments either with him or someone else he recommends for treatment, the diagnosis may change.