Who would you go to in DC? // what services if any are also needed?

[Anonymous]

My DD, 9, continues to be told she is a unique case -- some exec functioning issues, some speech, some attention, some stimming, but nothing full blown enough to warrant a label. I would call her a smart, but immature kid who is sometimes a beat or two behind the other kids. I realize I'm really summarizing here and happy to provide more info but (today) my question is this -- she is just dying to be social with the other girls -- just yearns for it so much, but often, more often then not, interacts in a different way that's obvious to the other girls right away. She'll use an inappropriate tone, or she'll think she's being dramatic but really she sounds rude, or she'll laugh (out of discomfort) at inappropriate times. Also, I've noticed that she just cant express her feelings the way the other girls can and they are started to be typical tweens and complain about teachers being unfair or complain about their parents or whatever. Anyway, this is all to say, I have her in speech therapy, and do as many play dates as possible and she's in camp with friends etc. And I realize that this is just going to take some time and there is no magic bullet, but is there anything else I can be doing? I want to give her pointers when I witness some of this but sometimes my pointers make her feel bad about herself.

[Anonymous]

Have you raised your developmental concerns with her pediatrician to see what his/her input would be?
Have you considered getting an assessment from a developmental pediatrician - if this can be separate from a neuro-psych evaluation?
Have you asked for a suggestion of a social skills class for your daughter from her speech therapist or possibly pediatrician's office?
Have you had a detailed one-on-one chat with those who work with your daughter including her teachers, speech therapist to share your concerns and see what they see in relationship to other kids they serve as it could be a case of immaturity if she is pretty much on grade level with her peers? Be sure to do so in any program she is enrolled in this summer?y

[Anonymous]

Totally open to a developmental pediatrician. Have not been since she was four or five and it was a waste of time. he said, "she will probably have attention issues when she gets to school so you can come back and we'll put her on a med."

had Neuropsych at 8 -- mild attention, exec functioning, etc.

She has outgrown lots of her sensory issues but that was a factor in the past as well.

[Anonymous]

I would get her some of those American Girl friendship books. There is one called something like "Making and keeping friends", a manners book, etc. Look on Amazon or on their website. They do a really good job talking about social issues with this age group.

[Anonymous]

Kids learn social skills from their peers. I'd seek out a social skills group specifically. This is a really tough age for a kid as well, especially girls. Help her fosters her individual interests as well. Hopefully she'll meet a kindred spirit.

[Anonymous]

Is it too late to involve her in Girl Scouting as it would be the same group of girls weekly or biweekly? Or have you thought of an introductory, low key dance class?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the kind responses. Unfortunately it IS too late for girls scouts although I wish I had thought of that sooner. She LOVES the American Girl books so maybe that will continue to help.