The tradition seems to be that pediatricians do "medical" stuff, but gifted is an "educational" thing and totally not in their purview. 2E is sort of half in the purview, because some disabilities are "medical," but we found that our ped. (excellent otherwise) was not quick to recognize DS's autism, and that slowed our progress in figuring him out.
I eventually realized that I am the one who coordinates my kids' care; they are complicated, have many professionals, but I'm the one who tracks the big picture. Our ped. is great for medical stuff (both rare and common things); but I don't hesitate to use specialists. I do keep the ped. informed of the big picture, because I want *someone* to know it; but it's mine to manage.
Our health insurance claims to be moving toward the "medical home" and "patient-centered care," both of which involve having one practitioner who has the big picture under control; but I don't see it happening for our family.
DeeDee
