[lotusdebi]

I'm taking my 6 year old to a developmental pediatrician this week for an evaluation. The eval process they do involves meeting with just parents one day, meeting with the child one day, and then meeting with the parents again one day. Each meeting will be approximately 2 hours long. There will also be blood work, to be done at a separate lab, from my understanding. My DS1 has an SPD diagnosis, we're just trying to find out if he's also on the autism spectrum, or if there's anything else we should be aware of.

So, what do I tell him about what we're doing? He'll be sure to ask where I and his father are going without him and his brother. And I'll need to tell him why he's meeting with this doctor he has never met before. Her office assistant has advised me to tell him that he's going to play with her for a while, and there will be no needles (I guess this is a concern some kids have with visiting doctors, but we don't vax, so I don't think I need to say that.) I think that explanation is far too simplistic for my son and he'll ask a lot more questions. He knows he goes to OT because his brain and body don't always communicate properly, and OT helps them "talk" to each other better. Should I tell him that he's going to see this doctor so we can find out if his brain and body need more help communicating? Or something else? I don't want to make him feel bad about himself or worry. He already has some anxiety issues.

So, what do I tell him about these meetings? And the bloodwork he's sure to need?

Thank you!

 

[Roar]

One thing I'd keep in mind is that while to you as an adult the developmental pediatrican isn't something normal or expected that kids don't really have the same expectations. For all he knows this is a standard part of being six and I see no reason to tell him that it is because there is something wrong with him.

So, I'd be inclined to say something like "this doctor knows a lot about how kids' bodies and mind grow and develop. She will talk to you and play some games to better understand what the best ways are for you to learn and be healthy. Most kids find these visits fun, I hope you'll tell me about what toys the doctor has and let me know if there is anything you really like."

 

[sbgrace]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roar One thing I'd keep in mind is that while to you as an adult the developmental pediatrican isn't something normal or expected that kids don't really have the same expectations. For all he knows this is a standard part of being six and I see no reason to tell him that it is because there is something wrong with him.

This is my thought too. For my kiddo I just told him that these doctors like to check up on kids to see how they're doing at his age, that there wouldn't be pokes (big for mine because he has a lot of bloodwork in general), and that most kids find these visits fun because the doctors like to play.

If your son is comfortable with the explanation for OT I don't think it hurts to tie this to that experience in his mind. So what you suggested may work just fine. I tell my son when he goes for a two day speech/communication assessment (that's 10 hours away so a big deal) that the therapist is going to help figure out what he's good at and what needs extra help.

 

[lotusdebi]

Thank you both for your replies! Your advice helps a lot! I'm pretty anxious about this process, even after eight months of waiting for the appointment dates to finally be here!