Here’s a jargon busting guide for some of the medical terms you’ll hear about in your baby’s first year.
First up: developmental milestones. In your baby’s first year, you'll hear about various different milestones. Baby’s first smile, when they start to crawl and walk, baby’s first sounds and words. These milestones help experts measure how your baby is developing. But don’t worry if your little one does things at different times to other kids. Its often reported that Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old! In summary: Developmental milestones. Every child is different, so don’t sweat it.
“VRA” short for Visual Reinforcement Audiometry, is a type of hearing test for young children. If you have any concerns about baby’s hearing, this is the test that doctors will probably suggest. In summary:VRA - a hearing test. Simples.
The ASQ 3, Ages and Stages questionnaire: It’s a questionnaire to help the NHS review your child's development at nine months and again at two years old. Just before your child is nine months your health visitor may pop an ASQ 3 form through the door. You’ll be asked to fill it in and try out activities at home with your baby; this is so your health visiting team can assess their progress before your little one has their main NHS development review. In summary: ASQ-3 -Ages and Stages Questionnaire. An easy way to monitor children's development. Don't worry, it's not an exam for baby. There isn't a grade at the end.
So, that’s three terms explained, but if your health care professionals use a term that you don't understand, ask them to explain it.
There are a lot of new terms to learn when you have a baby, it can feel a bit overwhelming.
But try not to worry - here are three definitions of common terms used by health visitors. And remember, if you hear a word or term you don't understand, ask your health visitor to explain it.
