Opinions Please!

[Pookybear66]

Hi ev1!
I need ev1's opinion on the psychiatric that we saw today. Some of you may know my story but for those who don't here it is.

My ds (9) has been having trouble in school for a few yrs now esp w reading/writing/spelling. He was diagnosis'd by school last yr with a reading disablility. He does talk alot and does do many things impulsively so there are signs of ADD. However, it is my opinion that that can be also signs of other things too. He does need instructions to be simplified and repeated on occasion. He does scream and tell us "no" on occasion but hey we are talking about a 9yo. He reacts to some situations in a strange way. I should actually say he overreacts. He gets it in his head he either will or WON't do something and that is how it's going to be. But all this is only on occasion-not all the time.

So, after a year of wondering and back and forth convos with the pediatrician dr we have been referred to psychiatric. *Keep in mind that ins won't pay for neuropysch testing. They give you XX# of visits with psychiatric dr but not with neuropsychologist. Doesn't cover any testing for educational/ADD or so on* So today we went to reg psychiatric dr. First off, he didn't formally introduce himself. I have been to doctors (physicians mind you) that for the most part start off with "Hi I am ___ and you are __" and then shake your hand and escort you to the room. He just said "Hi you must be __. We are going this way." So then, he really didn't talk much to ds. He talked to me, looked through papers from school and others I had composed about symptoms and then talked a bit more about ADD/ODD/and other stuff. DS was totally bored!!! We left after 1 1/2 hrs with a questionnaire to fill out and another appointment next week.

So, my long-winded way to my question is this-Should I go back? Is this someone you would feel is appropriate for you? Is it expected that he should talk to ds? Should ds be bored? Should I give it one more time THEN decide? Should I have gone straight to the neuropsychologist and say screw the ins.? Any and all opinions are welcome. I just want another view on this. Thank you.

 

[Mandy]

I am all fairly new to this but I would probably go to the next appointment before I made a decision. During our psychiatric evaluation she talked to me for probably an hour before she started his testing. I could tell she was silently observing my difficult child to see how he played, reacted to me etc. If you have the money and can go straight to the neuropsychologist then I would go that route but testing can be very expensive to pay for on your own. Ultimatly you are the parent and probably have a better instinct abt. the situation then we can not being there. Good Luck!!

 

[Pookybear66]

Thanks Mandy. That's what I expected most of the posters here to say. There was no talk of testing. It was the first meeting and I forgot to ask. I guess I was a bit stunned by my ds's behavior while there and also of the psychiatric's reaction to us. I will discuss this more with husband. Any other thoughts from others?

 

[nvts]

Hi Pookey! I'd start by calling my pediatrician. I'm not sure I'd buy into the ins. not paying for a neuropsychologist...I'd research that before I took it for wrote. They may require a referal from your doctor, but that should be easy enough.

Me? Go back? Nope. No real interview, willing to take the schools word exclusively, difficult child not so engaged. Nay, I'd check out someone else.

Check out www.childbrain.com. Take a look at the info for kids with Autistic spectrum disorders and see if your lil guy had the same things going on when he was small.

All just my humble opinion!

Beth

 

[graceupongrace]

Pooky,

Before you decide, you might want to call the psychiatric's office and ask what you and ds can expect to happen in the next few appointments. In other words, what is the psychiatric's process for evaluating and treating new patients?

If you don't get a clear answer, or if you're not satisfied with the process they describe, then you should look elsewhere.

The best docs are the ones who care for the parents as well as the patient. If you feel the psychiatrist is not going to be empathetic, he may not be the right one for your ds.

Hope this helps. Sorry for your frustration.

 

[FlipFlops]

I would give it a couple of visits. I actually prefer psychiatrists who talk to me more. difficult child acts just fine (except for this one time........) at the psychiatrists office and I imagine I look like I am the one who is looney for saying he does all the things he does. You said he looked at school info, as well as info you put together. I think that is a good sign. I would think that gives a more rounded picture of what is going on than just going by what the child can tell them. But like someone else said, trust your intuition too. We weren't there. We have seen docs before that I knew I didn't want to work with.
Also, you may want to look further into the neuropsychologist thing anyway. We've been working on our situation for almost 6 years with No improvement and I have recently concluded the diagnosis is wrong. I am looking at the neuropsychologist thing now as well.

 

[therese005us]

I agree, I think fill out the questionnaire, and definitely go back for another appointment, or even 2 because some docs do like to take a little time to get to know you.
Otherwise, you'll be 'shopping for docs' and that can unsettle your little one too. At least going back will also familiarise your DS.

 

[Fran]

in my humble opinion, I would go to the next visit armed with a list of questions. Many you have just listed.
Not all professionals/doctors has people skills. I tend to think of doctor's as scientists and if he knows his stuff and is good I'll put up with poor social skills to a point.
On the positive side, he didn't put you off or dismiss you or ignore you. He just didn't seem to communicate in a way that you were expecting. I get that as I have been there done that. You walk out scratching your head wondering "what was that?"

Ask lots of questions next visit. He is probably unsure how to read you the first visit. Give it another visit then if you two aren't one the same page communicating, move on.

 

[BusynMember]

I would call and ask if he is going to do a lot of testing. Without testing the kids, they can't really know his strengths or weaknesses. If at all possible--in any way--I'd go to a neuropsychologist though. Psychiatrists don't test much or at all and often just pull of the prescription pad. I've had a ton of psychiatrists in my life since I have a mood disorder and some aren't all that hot. For diagnostic purposes, I prefer NeuroPsychs for both adults and kids (my son is on the autism spectrum and a psychiatrist insisted he had bipolar--three years of heavy medications ). He's been off medications four years--he never needed them.

A neuropsychologist is a psychologist with extra training in the brain so he can test for both neurological disorders and psychiatric ones and in my opinion he usually does a better job than any other professionals. We found a great one that took Medicaid! Anything is possible. Perhaps a neuropsychologist around you will take payments. in my opinion it's worth it. Good luck!

 

[KTMom91]

I would go back, ask my questions, and see if the dr and my kid were a good fit. If not, keep looking. Even if the dr doesn't specialize in chidren, he/she may be good with your child.

For example, Miss KT's dr is not a pediatrician, not a psychiatric dr...he is board certified in addiction medicine. He doesn't accept her bs, and has called her on it many times. She's been a patient of his for close to 10 years. I think he's an arrogant poophead a lot of the time, but he's great with my kid, and in my opinion that's what counts.

 

[tessaturtle]

I would go back for the next appointment. I have seen it take up to 5 or 6 appts. with some kids. My experience is that in the first (and maybe few subsequent) meeting, the doctor IS actually observing the child and taking mental notes while he is spending time talking with you. in my opinion - 2 things - I think its a Very good thing that he spent the majority of the time talking to you and reviewing the notes, etc. to get a full picture for the first meeting (he is most likely not going to see or get the "real" dose of your son during the first meeting anyway). and Second, I would be more worried if, after what you described for the first meeting, he diagnosed your son and sent you guys on your way with recommendations! (I have seen that happen before too!)

Good Luck!

 

[AnnieO]

I agree with the people who say go back. The questionnaire is probably the same kind they used with difficult child 2 when he was diagnosis'd with ADHD, but we refused to accept a one-visit diagnosis. (BM did - another story there though.)

Much insurance will pay for a neuropsychologist, but there has to be a referral from the pediatrician... or preferred provider, whatever. Medicaid is famous for requiring referrals. But we found one. Also, may children's neurology/psychology departments will help with finances if need be. We have several Children's Hospitals in Ohio - for a fact I know Dayton's is not so great and Cincinnati's is totally awesome. So it may take some looking.