A parent called up a couple of days ago. Her son has ADHD, and is undergoing therapies since last 2 and half years. Actually the follow up from home front began late and behaviour with regards to disciplining also took a while more for the child. However now he has almost caught up with peers baring motor issues in both physical and speech areas.
The mother was however flustered and in order to know where her son stood development wise she decided to take an opinion from a development pediatrician.... different from whom she had been seeing last couple of years. This child was not writing in class but was doing it well with his remedial teacher.
This developmental padiatrician runs rehabilitation centers across the city and is a big name!
He told the mother to do some blood test, genetic testing (i dont understand the point since this is the second child and the parents have no intention to go for another kid. Also the tests are very expensive)
Next he told her that they would take a month to assess this child and give a detailed analysis (really????) So she had to pay the entire charges at one go (now i got it!!!)
He apparently told her he would tell "his" therapists what program to be taken up (oh yes this is a superman who plays multi roles!!!!) When the ,mother who happens to be well read met the therapists she turned up knowing more than them!!!!
Next he told her to start medication as he felt the child wasnt focussing on what the teacher spoke in class and so he was not writing. He said the meds would help him focus!! (he failed to realise that this is a child in Jr KG, and the kind of focus he was insisting this kiddo with ADHD have was difficult. He didnt bother that the child could recall what was being done in class albeit not in continuity....... I want to know if all children in Jr KG level are able to totally focus in class!!! What about anxity element for not able to write???/)
The mother who was terribly upset and had few sleepless nights asked me why did he tell all the above??
My take:
I dont want to play a blame game here. Every professional has a right to put forth an opinion. The mother too had a right to visit any professional of her choice for an opinion. Unfortunately the experience was very bad and emotionally draining for her. I often tell parents to take opinions with a pinch of salt.
As a mother i can say that no one knows our children as well as we do!
So dear parents, do not take professional opinions to heart. Be alert when you visit centers run by one professional and when there are other professionals "employed" there. Usually attrition rates are high here!!!
However great and renowned the professional may be every center has overhead expenses and loads of other kinds of top up expenses that have to be recovered from the consumer!
So please don't blame any professional for opinions and the high charges....... even though they were meant to soothe you. It was /is your decision to visit them!!
Enjoy the time with your child as much as possible. You are going to miss this time when they grow up.
Its a child first and the diagnoses come later!!!!
The mother was however flustered and in order to know where her son stood development wise she decided to take an opinion from a development pediatrician.... different from whom she had been seeing last couple of years. This child was not writing in class but was doing it well with his remedial teacher.
This developmental padiatrician runs rehabilitation centers across the city and is a big name!
He told the mother to do some blood test, genetic testing (i dont understand the point since this is the second child and the parents have no intention to go for another kid. Also the tests are very expensive)
Next he told her that they would take a month to assess this child and give a detailed analysis (really????) So she had to pay the entire charges at one go (now i got it!!!)
He apparently told her he would tell "his" therapists what program to be taken up (oh yes this is a superman who plays multi roles!!!!) When the ,mother who happens to be well read met the therapists she turned up knowing more than them!!!!
Next he told her to start medication as he felt the child wasnt focussing on what the teacher spoke in class and so he was not writing. He said the meds would help him focus!! (he failed to realise that this is a child in Jr KG, and the kind of focus he was insisting this kiddo with ADHD have was difficult. He didnt bother that the child could recall what was being done in class albeit not in continuity....... I want to know if all children in Jr KG level are able to totally focus in class!!! What about anxity element for not able to write???/)
The mother who was terribly upset and had few sleepless nights asked me why did he tell all the above??
My take:
I dont want to play a blame game here. Every professional has a right to put forth an opinion. The mother too had a right to visit any professional of her choice for an opinion. Unfortunately the experience was very bad and emotionally draining for her. I often tell parents to take opinions with a pinch of salt.
As a mother i can say that no one knows our children as well as we do!
So dear parents, do not take professional opinions to heart. Be alert when you visit centers run by one professional and when there are other professionals "employed" there. Usually attrition rates are high here!!!
However great and renowned the professional may be every center has overhead expenses and loads of other kinds of top up expenses that have to be recovered from the consumer!
So please don't blame any professional for opinions and the high charges....... even though they were meant to soothe you. It was /is your decision to visit them!!
Enjoy the time with your child as much as possible. You are going to miss this time when they grow up.
Its a child first and the diagnoses come later!!!!
