Questions for your first doctor visit?

Walking into a doctor's office with your child who has autism—or sudden changes from PANS or PANDAS—can feel overwhelming. You've noticed the meltdowns that erupt over tiny things like a clothing tag, the refusal to eat anything but three safe foods, the nights of pacing instead of sleeping, or the heartbreaking skill losses like forgetting how to use the potty after years of success. You want answers, real help, and a plan that sees your child as a whole person, not just a list of behaviors. Conventional doctors focus on therapies like ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis, where therapists use positive rewards to teach skills step-by-step, such as waiting your turn in a game) and speech therapy (practicing words through fun picture cards and mirrors). A biomedical approach adds body checks—like blood tests for low vitamins that sap energy or stool tests for gut inflammation causing pain—to support those therapies. Preparing thoughtful questions for your first visit turns worry into action, helping any doctor—pediatrician, neurologist, or specialist—build a roadmap tailored to your family. This article gives you 12 ready-to-ask questions, explains why each matters, and anticipates follow-ups so you leave feeling empowered and hopeful. Thousands of parents have used these to uncover hidden hurdles, leading to calmer days and breakthroughs in therapy.

The first visit sets the tone for your child's care journey. Doctors appreciate prepared parents—it shows you're invested and helps them prioritize. Write questions in a notebook alongside your symptom log: "Monday: Rage after yogurt. Tuesday: No sleep, hand-flapping all day." This paints a clear picture. Whether seeing a conventional pediatrician for therapy referrals or a biomedical practitioner for lab work, these questions bridge both worlds. Start with basics, then dig deeper. Practice saying them aloud so nerves don't trip you up. Remember, good doctors welcome curiosity; if they brush off concerns, seek a second opinion. Your child's comfort is worth it.

Essential Questions to Ask

These core questions cover diagnosis, therapies, testing, and teamwork. Ask them early to gauge the doctor's full-child approach. Each includes why it matters and sample follow-ups for deeper clarity.

1. How do you assess my child's overall health beyond just behaviors?
   Behaviors like screaming or stimming (repetitive motions like rocking) often signal body discomfort. This question reveals if they consider gut pain (affecting 80% of autism kids), sleep-robbing nutrient gaps, or immune flares. Follow-up: "What patterns in my symptom log stand out?" Expect: A review of diet, sleep, and bowels alongside developmental screens.
2. What therapies do you recommend first, and why those specifically?
   ABA builds social skills (e.g., rewarding eye contact with playtime); OT (occupational therapy) masters zippers and spoons. This ensures recommendations fit your child's age and needs, not one-size-fits-all. Follow-up: "How many hours weekly, and what's the progress timeline?"
3. Can we start with basic blood tests for vitamins, minerals, and inflammation?
   Low vitamin D (sunshine nutrient for mood and immunity) hits 80-90% of autism kids; iron shortages cause crankiness from fatigue. Conventional docs do basics (CBC for anemia); biomedical adds ferritin and B12. Follow-up: "Which labs are insurance-covered under autism code F84.0?"
4. When should we consider gut testing if there's constipation or picky eating?
   Tummy troubles send "danger" signals to the brain, worsening OCD or rages. Stool tests check inflammation (calprotectin) or digestion power (elastase). Follow-up: "What if poops alternate hard/loose?"
5. How do we rule out PANS/PANDAS if symptoms worsened after sickness?
   PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or PANDAS (strep-triggered version) cause overnight OCD, tics, or regression. Ask for strep swabs and inflammation markers (CRP/ESR). Follow-up: "What about antibody tests like Cunningham Panel?"
6. What role does diet play, and do you check for food sensitivities?
   Dairy or gluten can leak through damaged gut walls, irritating the brain. Many start GFCF (gluten-free, casein-free) after tests. Follow-up: "Trial diet first or test IgG allergies?"

Deeper Dive Questions for Long-Term Planning

Once basics are covered, probe for partnership and progress tracking. These address fears like "Will we chase symptoms forever?"

7. How will we measure if treatments are working?
   Track meltdowns per week, new words monthly, or sleep hours nightly. Tools: ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) scores or therapy logs. Follow-up: "Re-test labs in 3 months?"
8. What supplements or medications come next if tests show imbalances?
   Low B6/magnesium? Combo formula for focus. Inflammation? Ibuprofen short-term. Follow-up: "Doses by weight? Any interactions?"
9. How does the immune system factor in, and when test it?
   Overactive immunity (cytokines) fuels anxiety; common in autism/PANS overlap. Ask for cytokine panels or IgA. Follow-up: "Probiotics first?"
10. Can therapies and biomedical changes work together seamlessly?
    Yes—stronger body boosts ABA gains. Example: Energy from iron lets OT sessions extend. Follow-up: "Refer to functional medicine doc?"
11. What red flags mean we need urgent specialist referrals?
    Seizures, rapid regression, or non-stop tics signal neurology or immunology. Follow-up: "Timeline for MRI if needed?"
12. How can I partner with you between visits?
    Email updates? Portal access? This builds trust. Follow-up: "Parent groups you recommend?"

Table: Quick Reference for Your Doctor Notebook

Print this table for easy reference. Jot doctor answers beside each.

This empowers quick reviews and shares with specialists.

Handling Tough Responses and Staying Encouraged

What if the doctor says, "Labs are normal—focus on ABA"? Gently reply: "I read optimal ranges differ for autism—can we aim higher for vitamin D?" If dismissive of biomedical, note: "I'd like a referral to explore gut tests." Safety first—no pressure for unguided changes. Many parents switch to MAPS.org-listed docs after one visit.

Real wins inspire: A mom asked #3; low zinc found. Three months later: "Fewer rages, ABA soaring!" Studies show informed questions lead to 30-50% faster interventions. You're building your child's health fortress, brick by question.

Next steps: Role-play questions with a partner. Pack snacks, comfort item for your child. Post-visit, celebrate asking—you're their hero.

Hope thrives in preparation. Your voice unlocks doors to brighter tomorrows.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html nimh.nih

Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS). (n.d.). Find a practitioner. https://www.medmaps.org

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). PANS and PANDAS: Questions and answers. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas nimh.nih

Spectrum Care Hub. (n.d.). FAQ hub.

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