Taking list to a paediatric appointment?

[Sickofpeppapig]

My DD(3) has a paediatric appointment next week to talk about concerns about ASD. I have ASD and ADHD myself and get overwhelmed in appointments and I struggle to get what I need to say across. Usually DP would come with us but Covid means that can't happen.

I was speaking to DDs nursery teacher about her ASD concerns and I explained that I had planned to bring a list of points to bring up with the paediatrition. She said not to do this as it can come across like I'm trying to coach DD to get a diagnosis? This definitely isn't the case, I just want to make sure I say everything I need to say correctly.

Should I not bring a list?

Definitely bring a list, anything like that is useful, lists, videos etc.

I took a report from his private SALT, a report from nursery, an upto date tracker from nursery to show his development and a list of our concerns. I also had videos of certain behaviours.
Ignore nursery advice. My sons paediatrician was so happy with all the information and very grateful I provided it. She said it cut a long time out of what is a lengthy process and referred him straight for diagnosis.

Good luck.

Take a list. It absolutely won’t look like you’re coaching your daughter to get a diagnosis- it’s a list for you to discuss with the paediatrician not a script for your child to follow. The doctor will be fine with this, it will be useful for you and them. I did the same for my child’s last paediatric appointment, albeit over the phone. Such a lot had changed since the previous appointment I wanted to be sure I’d remembered everything. I also scribbled down notes of what was said to me.

Yes, take a list and make notes of what's said, when people will get back to you, what you can expect next, anything they need you to do before you see them again etc

Bring a check list of your concerns but you need to let the dr lead the appointment so use your list as answers, if any concerns aren't crossed off you can bring them up at the end.

Take the list. Not sure how you can ‘coach’ a 3 year old anyway. I have a 10yr old with asd - he’s seen a paediatrician for years since 3 and he had fobbed us off for years. However as my son has got older his coping skills and behaviour have deteriorated and it’s quite obvious so a he had an appointment where consultant said that clearly my son is struggling and needs further assessment that was a good while ago, with covid it’s taking a long time though.
take your notes, the dr will do a medical history for you and your child so you can explain your medical history too.
Hope it goes well op, I know how stressful these appointments can be

Thank you all, I was worried! I'm glad I can bring a list! All I want is for DD to have support in place, I definitely don't want to force an ASD diagnosis if the issue is something completely different! Fingers crossed the paediatrition takes the concerns seriously :)

Everyone should make a list and clear point frankly, it's a lot more efficient.

I took a list to the initial appointment separating my concerns into categories. The consultant took a copy of the list.

Ds is 11 now and I attend every appointment he has with a notebook which contains details of all his medicines, all his medical team and an outline of every appointment and what was said.

I take a list to every medical appointment I have and would encourage everybody else to do the same. You forgot stuff otherwise. I’m sure the paediatrician will think nothing of it.

Take a list! They'll appreciate it. It's always nice to see a parent/patient who's prepared, has thought about the appointment ahead of time, and knows what they want to get from it. That advice not to bother is really strange.

Definitely take the list. I referred DD2 directly for ASD assessment and I wrote a huge list of 'indicators' (as I saw them) on the form. The man who saw us said that we should have had about 4 appointments before we got to being placed on the assessment waiting list, but because my list was so comprehensive, he skipped them all, did a screening questionnaire with us, which scored highly, so he put her straight on the list.

Having your child there can be helpful anyway. He asked me 'what would DD2 say if a new child approached her in the playground and wanted to play?' I said 'let's ask DD2'. When I asked her, she simply replied "Well that's not happening!" He laughed and wrote it down as an example.

I took a list for my ds's asd appointment with the GP, even more important IMO if you are seeing a paediatrician. They will speak to/observe your dd, you won't have the opportunity to coach her as you don't know what they will ask - and it might be some very random stuff!