Dr. Alison Schonwald is a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician and co-founder of Touchstone Neurodevelopmental Center. After her undergraduate education at Yale University and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Schonwald completed pediatric residency and Developmental Behavioral pediatrics fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she served as faculty from 2001-2019.
Dr. Schonwald’s clinical interests include early diagnosis of autism and developmental delays, psychopharmacology for children with a variety of developmental disorders, cultural competence in families of children with developmental disorders, and transition to adult care. She is the author of two books, “Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Potty Training Problems,” and “ADHD in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide.” She currently serves on the American Board of Pediatrics Subboard for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and the MA Board of Early Education and Care, while maintaining a busy clinical practice and continuing to teach primary care pediatricians.
[00:01] Dr. Alison Schonwald Shares Her Story With Us
- Alison talks about her pediatric career in the developmental behavior field
- How to approach a parent who’s thinking their child has ADHD
[07:26] How to Identify Developmental Delays in a Child
- The importance of knowing the history of the child
- Alison talks about how she determines potential developmental delays
- How language can help pediatricians point out potential issues in a child
- Alison reveals her tips to ask about possible traumatic experiences
- Parents should bring these pieces of information in the consultation
[17:35] Thoughts About Existing Screening Tests
- Here’s why pediatricians should not be afraid to diagnose patients
- How small and rural communities can help kids with ADHD
- We talk about prescription medicines like stimulants and non-stimulants
- Alison shares her thoughts about current screenings tests
- She gives a few recommended resources that can access now
[27:22] The True Role of a Pediatrician in a Child’s Life
- Alison shares some tips for pediatricians to improve their craft
- Here’s an inspiring story about a patient who had made a friend
- When the journey with the child patient really starts according to Alison
- The true role of the pediatricians in taking care of a child
[37:40] Being a Healthcare Provider is More Than Just Diagnosis
- The relationship among children, their families, and communities
- Don’t miss these inspiring message from Alison to her younger self
- Why you should listen to this TED Talk by Abraham Verghese
[41:38] Closing Segment
- Final takeaways:
- The first step is always listening to the story
- Assuring families that they get the help they need
- Developmental trajectories and ADHD
- What to observe in a child
- What to look for in teenagers
- The possibility of trauma
- Collateral information is key
- Teacher feedbacks are important too
- Being upfront to parents about your diagnosis
- The role of stimulants in screening tests
- Other possible factors that affect a child aside from ADHD
- Available resources for parents and families
- Diagnosis is not the start of the journey
- Sorting through the many differential diagnoses
Key Quotes:
“The journey starts when you first recognize there is something different about your child.” – Dr. Alison Schonwald
“Being a doctor isn’t about making a diagnosis and providing a treatment…it’s about participating in a process of wellness so that we’re actually doing something…” – Alison Schonwald
Email [email protected] to connect with Alison or follow her on Twitter. Check out https://www.touchstonema.com/ to know more about her work.
WATCH OUT for the announcements about the Mental Health Conference to be organized by the American Academy of Pediatrics!
Resources Mentioned:
- Touchstone Neurodevelopmental Center on social media
- Published articles
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
- AACAP Facts For Families Guide
- Books:
- Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology
- Zuckerman Parker Handbook of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics for Primary Care
- Starving the Anxiety Gremlin
- Coping Cat
- Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Potty Training
- ADHD in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide
- My Own Country
- Other resources
- Primary Care – Massachusetts General Hospital
- AAP Experience: National Conference & Exhibition
- AAP Mental Health Minute Series
- Child Psychiatry Access Programs in the United States
- TED Talk: A Doctor’s Touch by Abraham Verghese
If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter or email me at [email protected]. To learn more about me visit https://www.medicalbhs.com/
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