“Is my kid normal?” is the second most common question I am asked during a pediatric visit. (Not surprisingly, the most common question is from a fearful child asking if they need a “shot”.) By asking about normal what parents are really asking is “Should I be worried?” and “Why does my kid do THAT?”.
My answer usually starts with questions to the parent seeking details about what their child can and can’t do. But to be honest, when a father brings the child I get a little doubtful because I often get the same response. “How many words can your child use in a sentence?”. Blank look. “Can she follow two step commands?”. Blank look. Then with a look of humility the dad reaches into his pocket saying, “Here, let me call her mother and you can talk to her”. Continue reading
Ricky Y. Choi, MD, MPH 