Anyone had an appointment with the community paediatrician (school doctor)?

[debs40]

Hi

Ds1 (6) has an appointment with the community paed at school tomorrow. I organised a referral for him through our GP as he has been having real problems with sensory issues (clothes, shoes, food etc). It can take an hour to get him dressed for school sometimes as he feels every uneven hem, label etc.

GP suggested dyspraxia and we are seeing paediatrician tomorrow morning.

I just wondered whether anyone else had been through a similar appointment at their child's school

Thanks

I haven't, debs40, but I am a school nurse and work closely with the community paediatricians so shout if there's anything you would like to ask.

DS2's diagnosis of Dyspraxia was eventually given by the Community Paediatrician - but not before he'd been assessed by the Ed Psych (Educational Psychologist) and the Occupational Therapists first. So I would be surprised if it was a "One visit, one diagnosis" sort of thing - will probably be more of an introductory, let's talk about what's not right, sort of chat.

Thanks. That's what I was interested in finding out.

I suppose my questions include:

(i)whether this would be a first appointment and whether there would be any suggested diagnosis of the problem (if anything needs diagnosing)

(ii) what sort of thing my son would be asked to do

(iii) whether the paediatrician will also talk to my son's teachers. They hadn't seen a problem until very recently because he'd been fine. There's been a few issues over socks and clothes and upset at being in class over the last week or so

I have read around these subjects quite alot and I haven't a clue how anyone could tell these developmental disorders apart. Sometimes it feels like you could make a set of symptoms fit under any heading and I suppose I'm worried about someone getting something wrong. Don't know if that makes sense? Thanks

I imagine they will do a basic physical assessment, and ask you for a thorough history of him since birth. They will ask you why you sought help, what you think are the problems, and I expect they will do some sort of developmental assessment which may involve drawing shapes, writing his name, building small towers with blocks, working out some simple riddles or puzzles.

Depending on what they find will depend what happens next - they may ask for an Educational Psychologists report, or school reports (most schools have referral forms if they have concerns about a child) and may recommend onward referral or will review him after other reports or assessments.

I hope it goes well for you both

Thanks Sidge. I appreciate you posting back. That's helpful.