So confused! 2 days, 2 different professionals & 2 completely different opinions re: asd!

[osospecial]

Ok so had first OT appnt yest and posted about how it had gone well and how I thought she had really understood dd. she said really early on she was surprised dd hadn't had dx of asd and thought she showed enough symptoms. She said she will put this in her report and send copy to paed suggesting dd be assessed quicker than 2 yrs time. (Paed not sure about asd as no issues with routine just speech and communication)

Ok so today we had an appointment with a Biomedical doctor and nutritionist who said, also quite early on, he didn't think dd has asd. He looked in throat and said it was red ( think he said strep throat) and in her ears he said there were small bubble type things behind ear drum which is stopping her hearing clearly. He has put her on dairy and gluten free diet and referring to ENT and doing hair, urine, stool and blood tests.
He said it was really good news and I want to believe it but my head just feels like its spinning really fast at the moment!
I'm confused as it doesn't explain things like the fact that dd babbles to herself in her own world not to me as if trying to communicate and also the fact that she completely ignores peers and has never even tried to play or even give eye contact to them. She is better with adults. And she is getting obsessive with things. the OT is not the first person to suggest dd has asd. Also we started this whole process in audiology but dd was discharged over a year ago. Feel like were going in circles.
Obviously I'm going to take this advice and follow what he says and see what happens and if this is right then it is really fantastic I'm just struggling with these two complete different opinions. I guess if he is right then all dd issues can be 'cured' and I'm scared to believe that in case it's not true.

[moondog]

What's a 'biomedical doctor'?

[Handywoman]

Yes what is one of those? What is the doc testing for? What is the diagnosis? You don't have to take anyone's advice.....there is no 'obviously' about it. Is this doctor knowledgeable about neurodevelopmental problems... In girls? Go with your gut, it's probably right.

[babiki]

Well I don't think you needed to see somebody if you want to try the diet - it does appear to help a lot of people.
But if biomedical means what I think it means - he is absolutely not qualified to diagnose... So I would still seek proper ASD tests elsewhere.

[osospecial]

Not sure if that's what it's called then 'biomedical doctor' he is a doctor who advises on nutrition/ diet/ ENT issues? We had a grant from caudwell children and part of it was for 'biomedical' intervention and he is on their list of recommended people. A have heared about him on here as well, I think he deals with asd quite often.

[osospecial]

He is writing to dd gp to tell them what he has found and to tell them to refer dd to ENT on NHS so i will be getting a second opinion on what he said.

[osospecial]

Ok don't see why not poltergoose I've seen his name on here a few times its dr Daniel Goyal from sincere health. Does anybody have any experience of them?

[lougle]

According to this he worked initially in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, then purely Environmental Medicine.

Do you really trust him? I'm not sure I would on that profile.

[osospecial]

Not sure who I trust anymore lougle, the NHS, the LA, don't know :/
I have been trying to get a proper asd assessment with Daphne Keen and I will continue with this. (her secretary actually rang me back today and I missed the call!)
The GF and DF diet are things if considered before after reading some posts on here about them so I think they are worth a try to see what the results are.
He is writing to DDs gp with his opinion and telling them to refer dd to ENT on NHS so I will be getting a second opinion on what he said about dd ears and throat today.

[osospecial]

Thanks poltergoose just read that link. I will be very careful about what advice I follow. I'm glad I posted now.

[lougle]

He is a medical Doctor, Poltergoose, qualified in Aberdeen in 2001. However, he is not on a specialist register of any sort.

In contrast, DD1's paed who has a 'special interest in neurodisability and autism' is on the specialist register for paediatrics and neurodisability.

[Handywoman]

Also I would not say there is anything wrong with a red throat per se, tonsils and throats are pretty vascular. Does your dd have a sore throat? Swollen glands? If he thinks she has strep throat (streptococcus being a sort of bacteria ) is he recommending antibiotics?

[MareeeyaDoloures]

Don't trust the LA. Don't trust high-fee private practitioners who claim to know more about your child than you, more about medicine than your paediatrician and GP, and more about ASD than anyone else.

Place a modest amount of trust in individuals within the NHS, always bearing in mind that even properly trained and regulated professionals may well be arsey, over-stretched, or just having a bad day. And a medium amount of trust in national specialists with a reputation for excellence.

Place a high level of trust in any professionals you know to be competent, capable and kind, proved over multiple contacts through time. Save absolute trust for yourself, and perhaps your DP / mother / best friend.

[Handywoman]

MD that's the truest thing ever written on here!

[osospecial]

Thanks mareeeya that is very good advice!
I will get the NHS to have another look re ENT issues in case there is anything in it but will continue with proper asd assessment as well.
And I'll try the DF on its own first before looking at GF.
One thing I do trust is MN!

[lougle]

He's on the GMC register for practice, Poltergoose.

[osospecial]

Handy, no I was very surprised at red throat part a dd shows no signs of having sore throat

[lougle]

So do I, Poltergoose - I'd no more be accepting of his diagnosis than I would of an orthopaedic doctor diagnosing my migraines.

The whole point of specialisms is that someone spends time training in a narrow area of practice.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine-->Environmental Medicine--> oh well, we all know that Autism's caused by your environment, let's have a bash [hmmm]

[osospecial]

I really just wanted some advice on vitamin supplements and maybe some testing to see if dd was intolerant to anything or not absorbing something, that type of thing. I do believe in diet being able to make a big difference in areas like concentration and behaviour.
I was surprised about the throat, ears and asd statement, it wasn't what I was expecting.