DEFINITIONS

There are a number of local services in addition to the organizations already described in this booklet which may be recommended for a child with special needs. These recommendations may be confusing due to the number and different types of specialists in each area of development. The following definitions hopefully will help to distinguish between the functioning of these professionals. When trying to locate one of the professionals in the community, the best way is to look for a listing in the yellow pages of the local phone directory. If the professional is a doctor specializing in a particular area and the term (i.e. Otoligist) is not listed under that alphabetical heading, refer to the heading “Physician” (i.e. Physician – Otologist). Many times the professional, if not a physician, may not be listed in the yellow pages. Most of these resources will be listed in conjunction with another agency. For instance, Physical Therapist can be obtained at local hospitals and children can be taken in for appointments on an out-patient basis. If there is any confusion on recommendations of services for a child, another method would be to contact the person who made the recommendation and clarify with him/her how to contact the recommended resource.

ADUDIOLOGIST - A person who deals with hearing. This person can conduct hearing evaluations but CANNOT prescribe medicine or perform surgery.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST – The person works with developing skills in dressing, feeding, sensory integration, and gross and fine motor coordination.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST – A doctor who deals with the structure, functions and diseases of the eye. This person can write prescriptions for medicine and perform surgery on the eyes.

OPTICIAN – A person who grinds lenses to prescription and dispenses glasses.

OPTOMETRIST – A specialist in optometry which is the profession of examining the eye for defects and faults or refraction and prescribing correctional lenses or exercises but NOT drugs or surgery.

ORTHOPEDIST – A doctor who specializes in the correction or prevention of skeletal deformities.

OTOLOGIST – A doctor who deals with the structure, functions and diseases of the ear. This person can write prescriptions for medicine and perform surgery on the ears.

PEDIATRICIAN – A doctor who specializes in the physical development, care, and diseases of children.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST – This person works with methods to facilitate normal motor development, exercises to increase strength and coordination and to promote relaxation and training to improve walking patterns.

PSYCHIATRIST – This is a doctor who deals with mental illness, emotional or behavioral disorders. This person can prescribe medication.

PSYCHOLOGIST – A person who deals with behavior. This person CANNOT prescribe medication, however, he/she can evaluate in the areas of intellectual, educational, emotional or social problems.

SOCIAL WORKER – A person trained to understand human motivation and behavior and the treatment of emotional or social problems.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST – A person trained to provide analysis, diagnosis, and therapy for speech and language disorders.