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Original poster

Getting a second opinion

10 replies

As2161 · 05/02/2018 18:00

Has anyone had a case to go above their pediatrician? Our youngest has dyspraxia and a strong speech disorder, which is impacted by tiredness and also pronounciation issues and They are a few years off entering their teens and we are worried what will happen if it doesn't improve. Saw pediatrician recently and have been told there's nothing they can do and we are on the verge of being discharged. Speech can't tell us what the disorder is and physio have said they have done what they need to. We understand they may have this all their life, but we are worried this will sleep walk into secondary school where things will be tougher and children crueller. Anyone has to get a second opinion before?

OP posts:
frazzledbutcalm · 05/02/2018 19:17

I’ve tried for a second opinion on a different matter ... with no success. Hope you have better luck than me.

You could also transfer this to the special needs board, you’ll get good advice there on your dc’s difficulty.

Missmiller · 05/02/2018 19:26

What do you feel the underlying issue is? It may be that she has a developmental language disorder or specific language impairment? Does she receive support in school. I would be asking your school whether she’s coping and what additional support is available for her needs.

Not sure who else you could go to above a paediatrician really?

Checklist · 05/02/2018 19:29

Well if the local speech and language service can't tell you what the disorder is, ask for a second opinion from a speech and language therapist who can! I'd ask for a referral to the Nuffield, if I were you.

Afternooncatnap · 05/02/2018 19:40

It's my understanding that it is your right to see any relevant doctor of your choice. Research who you want to see then ask your gp for an open referral or referral to the specific doctor you want to see.

If your not happy I would 100% get a second opinion. Doctors are not always right and many have different opinions and approaches.

Original poster
As2161 · 05/02/2018 20:35

Thank you for your comments. The problem is the condition causes triredness and in some cases exhaustion after school. Our concern is that seems to make the speech problem worse. It was just hard hearing someone say there's these problems but they're not going to do anything about it now and almost discharged.

OP posts:
Missmiller · 05/02/2018 20:48

Sounds like verbal dyspraxia to me. The effort of having to attempt speech with this condition(severe dyspraxia) is unbelievable, it takes so much effort.

As an aside... Have you also checked vision is ok. I know it’s unrelated to dyspraxia but could explain the extreme level of exhaustion.

But, it could just be the effort it takes to speak though. I always think of dyspraxia as a disorder of voluntary movement. (For example: if you eat a doughnut, you get sugar on your lips and without thinking, you lick your lips (involuntarily). However, if you ask a dyspraxic child to lick their lips voluntarily, they would be unable to. It must be exhausting.

Original poster
As2161 · 05/02/2018 21:02

That's a really interesting insight. Thank you. That's what makes it so frustrating. It's trying to work out a balence. The pediatrician spoke about conditioning etc but gave us no help as to how to do it.

OP posts:
Missmiller · 05/02/2018 21:27

Can I PM you about this?

Original poster
As2161 · 06/02/2018 07:04

Yes that's fine :)

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