We've got a choice to make between two child psychologists... one has 30 years experience, the other only 3... but here's the pros and cons:
Well, first, the background. DS is 11, almost definitely ADHD, very likely SPD, and possibly slightly Aspie... I'm not sure on that last one, he fits some of the criteria, but that's part of the reason I'd finally like a professional opinion. I've suspected ADHD since he was little, I learned about SPD a few years ago and BAM that explained just about EVERYTHING... then most recently the investigations into ASD.
He's never been to public school so nothing has ever come up in that regard in terms of interventions, recommendations, etc. We did try getting him in for some therapy specifically for SPD a few years ago, while living in Ontario... only to be told that 1) there was a waiting list that went longer than the time we were planning to move, 2) don't we still have to report to somebody if we homeschool? Why had we never sought treatment before? How on earth could he possibly make it to 9 years old without being treated? and 3) SPD isn't considered a 'real' disorder in Canada yet, so they don't treat it anyway. This was AFTER I made it through the initial screenings where I had been specifically told by someone that yes, they did OT for SPD.
Anyway. I contacted a local Autism services organization (since we don't yet have a family doctor to go through) for info on where to get professional diagnoses/therapy/etc, and they recommended this particular doctor. He's got a waiting list of several months, but that's okay.
They recently added a second doctor to the practice, and she has appointments available a month sooner.
Here they are, the first two on the page:
http://paulmcdonnell.ca/index.php?op...&id=1&Itemid=2
As you can see, Dr McDonnell has 30 years of experience... that's a good thing. Unless he's stuck in the past, or something. He's an autism specialist, but maybe DS isn't ASD after all. But with 30 years of experience and ASD being only his recent focus, surely he knows about other stuff too.
Dr Cartwright is much newer. Her description specifically mentions disruptive behaviours, mood and anxiety disorders, positive parenting, and attachment issues.
This is what's tempting me about her. A fear I've always had about getting professional help is that some know-it-all doctor would tell me that I needed stricter discipline or some such. Believe me, I've tried it all, and my core parenting values are still Attachment Attachment Attachment, even though my frustrations with DS's behaviour make that very difficult to achieve sometimes.
But... does her definition of "positive parenting" match mine? What if her version means lots of reward charts and stickers?
We've got to choose quickly and get our appointments in... there's an initial assessment period of 4 appointments, the first and last being with just the parents (the first being for history/goals/etc, the last being their assessment) and the middle two with the child. The cost will be well over $1000 just for the assessment. DH's work insurance will cover part of it, but not nearly all. I don't want to spend that much and not be happy with the assessment because I disagree with the doctor, you know?
Or am I being silly? Are they both just fine? I have ZERO experience with this. The only experience I have with getting professional evaluations for DS's behaviour is when he was 5 or 6, I talked to our family dr about the possibility of food allergies causing it, he said allergies don't cause behaviour problems but referred me to an allergist. Then the allergist condescendingly told me food allergies don't cause behaviour problems, then told me they don't do food allergy testing there anyway, only things like pollen. Did a quick test on DS that showed no responses and shooed us out the door. And then, of course, the previous intake issues where they "don't deal with SPD" anyway.
So you can see why I'm hesitant to even bring my concerns up with a professional... my previous attempts have been met with scorn and derision! But I can't deal with him on my own anymore! How do I choose???
Well, first, the background. DS is 11, almost definitely ADHD, very likely SPD, and possibly slightly Aspie... I'm not sure on that last one, he fits some of the criteria, but that's part of the reason I'd finally like a professional opinion. I've suspected ADHD since he was little, I learned about SPD a few years ago and BAM that explained just about EVERYTHING... then most recently the investigations into ASD.
He's never been to public school so nothing has ever come up in that regard in terms of interventions, recommendations, etc. We did try getting him in for some therapy specifically for SPD a few years ago, while living in Ontario... only to be told that 1) there was a waiting list that went longer than the time we were planning to move, 2) don't we still have to report to somebody if we homeschool? Why had we never sought treatment before? How on earth could he possibly make it to 9 years old without being treated? and 3) SPD isn't considered a 'real' disorder in Canada yet, so they don't treat it anyway. This was AFTER I made it through the initial screenings where I had been specifically told by someone that yes, they did OT for SPD.
Anyway. I contacted a local Autism services organization (since we don't yet have a family doctor to go through) for info on where to get professional diagnoses/therapy/etc, and they recommended this particular doctor. He's got a waiting list of several months, but that's okay.
They recently added a second doctor to the practice, and she has appointments available a month sooner.
Here they are, the first two on the page:
http://paulmcdonnell.ca/index.php?op...&id=1&Itemid=2
As you can see, Dr McDonnell has 30 years of experience... that's a good thing. Unless he's stuck in the past, or something. He's an autism specialist, but maybe DS isn't ASD after all. But with 30 years of experience and ASD being only his recent focus, surely he knows about other stuff too.
Dr Cartwright is much newer. Her description specifically mentions disruptive behaviours, mood and anxiety disorders, positive parenting, and attachment issues.
This is what's tempting me about her. A fear I've always had about getting professional help is that some know-it-all doctor would tell me that I needed stricter discipline or some such. Believe me, I've tried it all, and my core parenting values are still Attachment Attachment Attachment, even though my frustrations with DS's behaviour make that very difficult to achieve sometimes.
But... does her definition of "positive parenting" match mine? What if her version means lots of reward charts and stickers?
We've got to choose quickly and get our appointments in... there's an initial assessment period of 4 appointments, the first and last being with just the parents (the first being for history/goals/etc, the last being their assessment) and the middle two with the child. The cost will be well over $1000 just for the assessment. DH's work insurance will cover part of it, but not nearly all. I don't want to spend that much and not be happy with the assessment because I disagree with the doctor, you know?
Or am I being silly? Are they both just fine? I have ZERO experience with this. The only experience I have with getting professional evaluations for DS's behaviour is when he was 5 or 6, I talked to our family dr about the possibility of food allergies causing it, he said allergies don't cause behaviour problems but referred me to an allergist. Then the allergist condescendingly told me food allergies don't cause behaviour problems, then told me they don't do food allergy testing there anyway, only things like pollen. Did a quick test on DS that showed no responses and shooed us out the door. And then, of course, the previous intake issues where they "don't deal with SPD" anyway.
So you can see why I'm hesitant to even bring my concerns up with a professional... my previous attempts have been met with scorn and derision! But I can't deal with him on my own anymore! How do I choose???
