Referral to community paediatrician

[debs40]

Hi

I've been posting on the special needs board where the folks have given me some really great advice/support.

I thought I would ask here too what happens when your child is referred to the community paediatrician.

My son is almost 6. He has issues with clothes and shoes not 'feeling right' - not just labels but seams etc. This can make dressing a very long process!

He is also extremely sensitive to smells even to the point of being sick.

There are other issues such as what seems to be anxiety/distress in crowded environments although his school have not raised anything.

He seems to be doing well at school. His rreading is good and his writing is progressing. He has friends although after school meltdowns are common.

The GP thought he might be 'a bit dyspraxic' based on his inability to do shoe laces or ride a bike (although my friend's son who is 8 can't do this either so it didn't unduly concern me!).

I just wondered what happened at these appointments. I do feel my son's distress at certain situations and smells/textures is genuine and upsetting but I also feel worried that I'm labelling what might just be a sensitive child. We do have to make significant accomodations to prevent meltdowns so I think he (and me) need some advice.

What sort of tests/procedures does the paediatrician undertake? Is it all spoken about in front of the child? I am worried about giving him a complex about his behaviour.

Is it normal for the parent to be concerned but not school? The head at my son's previous school raised some concerns but then backed off. I think without that I wouldn't have treated this so seriously. The new school say they have seen nothing to concern them
Thanks

[LIZS]

Lot so games and tasks. It isn't arduous. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about his birth, development and behaviour. ds was present when we talked but distracted by toys and gp had already sent some written observations.

He/she may use one of several "battery" of general tests (ds did Griffiths' test) depending on what the issues seem to relate to. Activities like remembering things in order, building towers and patterns, drawing and writing, puzzles, catching and bouncing a ball etc and how he responds to certain situations and questions. From observation and the results the paed determines what is within the boundaries of norm for his age and what needs further investigation by specialist referral (probably an Occupational therapist), which may mean another wait.

[debs40]

Thanks. That's really helpful. What did you tell your son about it before hand?

I don't want to put into his head that he is different and needs fixing!

[LIZS]

Well our situation was a litle different in that he had already had some help abroad at school so was aware of being different but basically we sold it to him as someone to identify the things he found diffcult and to refer us on to somemone who could help him.

[Reallytired]

My son was under the community paediatrian for about five years. Generally the appointment involved a chat with the parents and watching the child play.

As my son got older the paediatrian asked him questions about how he felt and what he found hard. Obviously this was a bit hard to do when my son was two years old, non verbal and crawling about the room.

[sadnog]

Hi, both my DS (8) and DD (11) have been referred to Community Paed and same as ReallyTired, it was just a case of chat with me regarding their early development and behaviour at home and asking DCs questions about what they liked and disliked at school and what they enjoyed doing at home etc. No real 'tests' as such. DS now has diagnosis of ADD, DD originally diagnosed with ADHD but they have since changed their mind so she is without dx at moment.

[debs40]

Hi

Can I ask how long people waited for a referral?

My GP sent the letter off about 6 weeks ago but I've heard nothing since.

I know this will vary area by area but I'm interested to get a general idea.

It is really hard when you feel there is something wrong but can't access any advice or assistance to address it

Thanks

[LIZS]

Got an appointment with paed in about 6 weeks , then waited 18 months for OT assessemnt. Your PCT may well have time targets for that first appointment.

[Widemouthfrog]

We saw the paed about 6 weeks after referral too. The first meeting involved a long chat about our concerns for DS. He was present and she made some general obsrevations. I provided a checklist of my concerns for her too, and school did the same. She agreed to assess for ASD, and referred to SALT and Educational Psychologist for multidisciplinary assesment (both in home and school). Diagnosis came 6 months later after a meeting with all 3 professionals who all agreed on a diagnosis of autism. Still waiting for OT 12 months later unfortunately as we have huge sensory issues atm .
Our assessments were speeded up as concurrently we requested a statutory assessment for statementing - 2 birds killed with one stone.
Hope you get your appointment soon.

[TotalChaos]

Took us 13 months from referral to see a paed (as it was a joint clinic with ed psych and SALT, who each had lengthy waiting lists). Think we were particularly unlucky. I would phone up GP, find out which department referral went off to, then contact them to a)check they have the referral b)ask what typical wait is and c)say you would be happy to take cancellation/short notice appointments if available.

[TotalChaos]

Took us 13 months from referral to see a paed (as it was a joint clinic with ed psych and SALT, who each had lengthy waiting lists). Think we were particularly unlucky. I would phone up GP, find out which department referral went off to, then contact them to a)check they have the referral b)ask what typical wait is and c)say you would be happy to take cancellation/short notice appointments if available.

[Janiceno1]

Hi im at my wits end i have a 10yr old daughter who struggles at school with maths English she has been on IEP since starting school only in year 5 did they mention a educational phycologist which they arranged we had a meeting and she felt she had speech and language difficulties ,i have been in to the school loads of times saying she has problems they just say she is their enigma ( great ) i have just rung the docs to have a chat and see if he could refer me to a paediatric doctor who may be able to tell me whats wrong and mainly how can I help her , she struggles with friendships too i dont know if its just girls or her , she also won't sleep alone at night as she is scared im really worried as she is in year 6 now .