tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post367124966733279092..comments2024-01-16T04:04:41.045-05:00Comments on Someday I'll Sleep Autism Blogs: To Change or Not to Change Doctors: Pondering Mae's Latest AppointmentCammie Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-69307423696683438132014-06-26T16:58:42.305-04:002014-06-26T16:58:42.305-04:00Might as well check out your options. We switched ...Might as well check out your options. We switched from a pediatrician to a family practitioner. They have a lot of older patients, so I feel my kids get a little more special attention. And the waiting room is quieter. But mostly, I like the doctor better, he's just a better fit for our family. I felt a little guilty switching, but I don't dread doctor appointments anymore, so I feel it was worth it!Eric and Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948011210280605739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-33554034619917692162014-06-26T09:44:28.934-04:002014-06-26T09:44:28.934-04:00You should ask Mae's therapists if they have a...You should ask Mae's therapists if they have any recommendations for pediatricians who are "autism-friendly."JoAnna Wahlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09942928659520676271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-24542719714637780142014-06-26T07:46:52.769-04:002014-06-26T07:46:52.769-04:00Heck yes, switch doctors! And don't be afraid ...Heck yes, switch doctors! And don't be afraid to assert yourself, or, have battles with the doctor to avoid them with Mae, if you want. I never take Abigail's braces and shoes off for height and weight checks - I just tell the nurse, "Oh, it's a pain to take them off, let's just leave them on" and start walking towards the scale. Honestly, I leave her shoes on everywhere no matter what the standard procedure simply because it's a pain to take them on and off. I either act like what I'm doing is totally fine (in Drs offices) or I play stupid (usually in public, like at bounces houses, etc). So far no one has ever fought me on it. If they fight you, just break out all the technical words. Prep a sentence that includes the word Autism, the acronym SPD (acronyms are scary), and "intense emotional distress." Break it out when some know-it-all with an attitude tries to get you to do something with Mae.<br /><br />And don't feel bad about water trickling! I seriously bring my iPod and a portable speaker and play it on low in the exam room when we're waiting for the doctor. When people give me attitude, I laugh at them like what they said is just plain silly. Seriously, it totally knocks people off base! Plus you can get away with a lot when you walk around (or sit around with water on) like you own the place.<br /><br />Good luck and don't beat yourself up over a frustrating appointment, just use it as a learning opportunity for all the other 1,000,000 times you are going to encounter a jerk with an attitude.Jakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11874287692067673076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-2240126460173519912014-06-25T23:06:19.507-04:002014-06-25T23:06:19.507-04:00I am so glad we moved and therefore got to change ...I am so glad we moved and therefore got to change doctors. We had been going to pediatricians who were absolutely terrible. A misdiagnosis sending us to a specialist over an hour away. Almost missing another window for surgery for something else, and making us do a food diary, for our obviously enormous chubby child because he didn't gain weight in a totally linear manner. And then couldn't interpret the results because we were still breastfeeding. <br /><br />We are much happier now. Yes, I have to actively bring up concerns, but I don't have prying annoying doctors pushing their agendas on me. jilly4skihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16392615745924392926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-59972833518871868712014-06-25T21:55:56.871-04:002014-06-25T21:55:56.871-04:00The more drs in one practice, the less liability t...The more drs in one practice, the less liability to go around. It'sa pretty saeet deal for the drs, but their patients suffer tremendously, as does the reputation of the entire medical profession.<br /><br />Imagine the legal repercussions, when you have to try to sort out actual liability for malpractice, when your client has been seen by no less than 30 different drs in 2 months, received multiple diagnoses and walks away with 9,000 pages of medical records. Talk about a nightmare...a nightmare the drs can hide behind because there'll all part of the same practice and the "Blank Physicians Group" covers them all.<br /><br />Sorry for the cynicism. It just makes me cringe! TBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-85220247304002567572014-06-25T18:03:56.177-04:002014-06-25T18:03:56.177-04:00Sorry, it's so hard when the medical professio...Sorry, it's so hard when the medical profession doesn't seem very "professional." It's so obvious this doctor has no understanding or appreciation of what "autistic" means and implies.<br />Back in the olden days it was possible to have a family doctor, one you kept for pretty much your whole life. In my life I have known all the way to 3 doctors, my current doctor having worked with my second doctor in his practice before he retired. You can't imagine what it is like when a doctor knows you for many years, and also has cared for other members of your family during that time. They get an understanding of your life, and all the health things that everyone has, and it's amazing how much better care you get.<br />I know that is all changing now, but if at all possible, see if you can find this kind of practice in the future, so you don't get just a random doctor but someone who gets to know you and your family (maybe after Paul gets a job and you settle somewhere). <br />You want someone who gets autism and the needs of a autistic child. You shouldn't have to be the doctor's educator. <br />God bless. ~ Bonnie<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-64908463511172755092014-06-25T15:37:33.696-04:002014-06-25T15:37:33.696-04:00I'm so sorry your favorite doctor is leaving. ...I'm so sorry your favorite doctor is leaving. My neurologist is moving to a town over an hour away and I am going to visit him at his new place because I like him and I don't want to have to deal with trying to find another one.<br /><br />If you do decide to find another doctor, I hope the process is smooth and easy for you. <br /><br />And I'm sure you've tried this before, but I always try to get the first morning appointment or the first appointment right after their lunch break because there is less time spent waiting. However, with all of Mae's other appointments and therapies you probably have to take what you can get. :( Beth Cotellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14536268080265726705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-34614625507982001172014-06-25T15:03:54.055-04:002014-06-25T15:03:54.055-04:00Yes, you most certainly should switch doctors and ...Yes, you most certainly should switch doctors and consider making a complaint. A pediatrician shouldn't talk down to parents, especially not parents of a child with special needs. You and Mae deserve MUCH better! Michele Chronisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05328455640818231923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-85017202582521471972014-06-25T14:39:19.074-04:002014-06-25T14:39:19.074-04:00I would change doctors.I would change doctors.Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-28010712977153992032014-06-25T13:34:39.343-04:002014-06-25T13:34:39.343-04:00I left my pediatrician when she started overbookin...I left my pediatrician when she started overbooking and the waiting room became crowded and we had to often wait for an hour. (I'm sure you can understand that bad combo) After screaming through the peds visits; she went quite happily to the new GP. (moderately busy waiting room but not a problem) At age 4; I think she tested at about 20 months. I just called her to check on her as she has a speech appt. (conversational skills). She was like "yeah I'm at the Starbucks and I'm going to be leaving now to go the the appt." (it's up the street from the Starbucks) She takes public transit there and although I may lose my mind because every new route is like learning it from scratch; she hasn't got lost yet! LOL (she's 19 now and a very sweet person) Just another peek into a possible future where you aren't spending much/any time in waiting rooms with a screaming child. (keeping you in my prayers)Patiencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567149340809225297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-69754281287992899182014-06-25T10:26:55.641-04:002014-06-25T10:26:55.641-04:00It sounds like your office is more of a "clin...It sounds like your office is more of a "clinic" rather than a practice. You need to find an experienced solo practitioner, or 2-doctor team, that specializes in developmentally delayed kids. You need a situation where the same doctor is seeing your child every single time, and there is no "turnover" of doctors.<br /><br />I think they are called "developmental pediatricians."<br /><br />My friends whose kids have various special needs say that having one is a MUST.<br /><br />And that's not to say you will never wait for your appointment or hear things you don't like, but at least that doctor will understand your kid's issues and have good insight and resources for her particular needs. Plus, so much gets overlooked in the "clinic" scenario rather than when the practice is someone's private business.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-64832554845608848112014-06-25T09:16:09.688-04:002014-06-25T09:16:09.688-04:00You are lucky that you have the option to change d...You are lucky that you have the option to change doctors. Up here we have a clinic with 3 doctors and some RNPs. That's it. I really want to change but can't. I once questioned them about Ella's breathing and they said "of course she has asthma, you have it". They didn't even look at her let alone send her for testing!!! <br /><br />When the doctor gave you grief about the water it's too bad you didn't have a comeback about their total lack of respect for YOUR valuable time. I couldn't imagine trying to keep Ella entertained waiting that long for a regular doctor's appointment. I agree, time for a new doctor. If he doesn't know the basics of Mae's life, then how can he treat her properly.<br /><br />Oh yeah, if they give you grief about the girls' weight, tell them what my husband told me to tell them (because Ella was too light and too tall). 'There has to be children on both ends of the scale to make an average!' And then I'd tell them to get their heads out of their file/computer and actually LOOK at the child before passing judgement.<br /><br />Hope you can find a good doctor.Paulahttp://fletchingtonfarms.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-334589112321301512014-06-25T09:07:22.839-04:002014-06-25T09:07:22.839-04:00I definitely would have been annoyed too. He real...I definitely would have been annoyed too. He really should know what OT is. That seems rather basic. I don't blame you for wanting to look elsewhere. ((HUG))Vernahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06478658669344479650noreply@blogger.com