While there are many different kinds of pediatric specialties available for your child to aid in their health and development, there are three main categories of pediatric care, which consist of regular check-ups, behavioral care, and specialty care. Regular check-ups are recommended for neonates, infants, children, and adolescents to guarantee that they are receiving proper care throughout their most vital years of development. These check-ups will typically include a physical examination (checking height, weight, vision, hearing, reflexes, and much more) to confirm that the child is developing at a healthy rate, updating any necessary vaccinations, and ensuring they are meeting the milestones that are typical for their age (growth, or mental development). These check-ups are to aid in preventing illnesses by monitoring the overall health and safety of the child. Your pediatrician will also be involved regarding any potential medical emergency situations with your child, such as a sudden illness. Behavioral care is one of the key elements of pediatric care, as any behavioral issues that arise in children can be an indicator of a larger behavioral disorder that needs to be treated. Untreated behavioral health concerns could cause children to not get as much socialization as is necessary for their development or could inhibit their ability to succeed in a classroom, and they could affect their eating and sleeping habits, which could also drastically hinder their development. Many more symptoms can occur that will have lasting effects on their development, so it is important that parents are aware of which symptoms to look out for in their children, especially any sudden changes, and to bring their children in for an assessment whenever concerns arise to ensure they have access to the medical support they may need as soon as possible. The third primary type of pediatric care is specialty care. While your child’s regular pediatrician is highly experienced and qualified to care for the many diverse problems that can arise in pediatrics, if a child is in need of more complex medical support than the average child, These conditions could include any particular disease for which a specialist is required for adults, such as cancer or cerebral palsy. Often, specialty care will involve the child’s regular pediatrician as well as whichever specialists are necessary to ensure that the child is receiving the proper care for them and any of their other potential health concerns.