So I took Sam back to the children's hospital today for our first meeting with the therapist (social worker) recommended by the psychiatrist who evaluated him last week.
Nice enough lady, but within 5 minutes I knew she wasn't the person for us. She kept talking about 1-2-3 Magic and rewards/consequences program from Russell Barkley's books (I have The Defiant Child, but haven't read it yet). I tried to tell her we've done that, it hasn't worked -- a few times, but it didn't seem to sink in.
Seemed more like to me that she wanted to fit Sam within the therapy box she's most comfortable with, rather than adjust her therapy to his specific needs.
She asked me what I wanted out of the sessions. I mentioned that in addition to working with Sam, husband & I need some help in diffusing things before a meltdown starts and especially in dealing with a meltdown in progress. Mentioned that Sam's preschool teachers really want some direction/assistance in working with him in class.
She then says that the things I want would be classified by our insurance as Family Therapy, and that our insurance does not cover family therapy. Talks about her hourly out of pocket rate, and then possibility of us working with a different social worker in the office who works under a different, slightly lower rate (complicated hospital merger).
UGH!!!
I'm getting pretty good at determining who can't help us, but can't find the right person who CAN help us.
So within 15 minutes, we covered all we needed to -- so she filled the rest of the session by playing Candy Land with us. At least Sam had a good time -- he was winning when we had to stop playing.
On a related note, the school district has scheduled its evaluation meetings, which will include a visit to the preschool. The staffer I met with said that the team members might provide assistance to the preschool teachers -- which would be GREAT. I don't know if Sam will qualify for an IEP -- we'll see.
Perhaps the school might be able to provide a good reference for a professional who has worked with kids similar to Sam... and maybe a support group -- I would so much like to meet another mom in real life, face to face, who's dealing with this as well. But it is good to know you guys are here -- even if you're not next door.
The day has to get better, right? It's not even lunch time here yet.
Julie
Nice enough lady, but within 5 minutes I knew she wasn't the person for us. She kept talking about 1-2-3 Magic and rewards/consequences program from Russell Barkley's books (I have The Defiant Child, but haven't read it yet). I tried to tell her we've done that, it hasn't worked -- a few times, but it didn't seem to sink in.
Seemed more like to me that she wanted to fit Sam within the therapy box she's most comfortable with, rather than adjust her therapy to his specific needs.
She asked me what I wanted out of the sessions. I mentioned that in addition to working with Sam, husband & I need some help in diffusing things before a meltdown starts and especially in dealing with a meltdown in progress. Mentioned that Sam's preschool teachers really want some direction/assistance in working with him in class.
She then says that the things I want would be classified by our insurance as Family Therapy, and that our insurance does not cover family therapy. Talks about her hourly out of pocket rate, and then possibility of us working with a different social worker in the office who works under a different, slightly lower rate (complicated hospital merger).
UGH!!!
I'm getting pretty good at determining who can't help us, but can't find the right person who CAN help us.
So within 15 minutes, we covered all we needed to -- so she filled the rest of the session by playing Candy Land with us. At least Sam had a good time -- he was winning when we had to stop playing.
On a related note, the school district has scheduled its evaluation meetings, which will include a visit to the preschool. The staffer I met with said that the team members might provide assistance to the preschool teachers -- which would be GREAT. I don't know if Sam will qualify for an IEP -- we'll see.
Perhaps the school might be able to provide a good reference for a professional who has worked with kids similar to Sam... and maybe a support group -- I would so much like to meet another mom in real life, face to face, who's dealing with this as well. But it is good to know you guys are here -- even if you're not next door.
The day has to get better, right? It's not even lunch time here yet.
Julie
I imagine the co-pay was a bit high for CandyLand. Let us know what you decide to do next in the way of Family Therapy. I think that's where we are heading, but our visit to the children's hospital isn't until late March, so things are going rather slow here. Good luck with the school meetings. I too would like to find a parents' support group in real life.
