Posted by wendy b. on November 16, 2001, at 15:20:02
In reply to Dr. won't write IEP letter, other problems..., posted by asilydur on November 16, 2001, at 3:02:49
Dear Asilydur,
I'm sorry you have these troubles... The short answer is to find a new doctor, preferably one with a special knowledge of kids and ADD. Your current psychiatrist is not listening to your observations, and he's dismissing your suggestions. You yourself have had to go through many med trials and then discontinue them because they don't work for you for very long. A doctor with an AD/HD specialism sounds like it would be great for you to go to, as well, so that you can get something that works well for you.
I really feel for your son. I recently wrote an article for my local newspaper about how parents can help their children with AD/HD. The first way to help is: get him to a specialist. They are familiar with all the medications and the proper way to answer a parent's request for an IEP referral, which is: "Certainly I'll write a letter for you, we do it all the time." NOT the way your doc answered! This makes me soooo mad..
The IEP, for anyone unfamiliar with the lingo, stands for Individualized Education Plan. The plan allows the school and the doctor to work together, with the parents, to help the child succeed in school. The schools need to be notified by the doctor, in order to get the process rolling. The teachers who deal with your son meet with the school counselor and draw up a *written* plan (the IEP). That way they can stick to a plan and everyone is aware and notified and proactive about his schooling. Also, they can then be in compliance with section 504 of the US Federal Code, which basically states that no child will be discriminated against in public schools because of a handicap or illness, or other impairment.
The other thing you can do, and it's done here in the school system where I work and where my daughter goes to school, is to request an assessment by the school district. They have staff employed to do the testing. And then you don't have to worry about the doctor's letter.
But still, your doctor sounds very old-fashioned about a number of things. Your son's file is confidential, yes, but there is nothing you want to hide from the teachers. Covering it up, the way your doctor wants you to do, would be detrimental to the process. You want to help your child succeed in school. He has to have every opportunity possible, every avenue must be open to him, so that he can succeed. The doctor sounds a little paranoid, and too concerned with control issues. You CAN control what goes into his file, that's what you've been doing all along in trying to get him the help he needs. Of course you feel betrayed - you are right to question whether after 8 years with him, he cannot see his way clear to writing a letter for you and your son. Very unprofessional.
It just now came to me too, that you can request that a copy of your son's file be mailed to whomever you wish. That is the law. If YOU want a copy, they have to make you one, if you request that they send one to the school, his office HAS to do it. So maybe that's another way around this guy.
I know the yellow pages don't advertise doctors' strengths and attitudes, but you can get a referral from your GP, or ask the GP whom to talk to about getting a referral. Also, and I've done this so I know, you go down the list of potential doctors in the yellow pages, and you just call each one. It's a game of phone tag, but eventually you can talk to them, or go for an initial consult, and see if they sound good to you. I truly don't believe you need to see a neurologist.
Write back if you'd like, I know I didn't touch on everything, but I wanted to give you some support in your feelings about the present doctor. Good luck, and welcome to psychobabble if you've never posted before (I don't remember seeing your name...)
Best,
Wendy
>
> Hi-My son was diagnosed ADHD by a child psychiatrist
> 8 years ago when he was 4 1/2. ...
poster:wendy b.
thread:13986
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011105/msgs/14001.html