So sick of sarcastic/rude GP

[sleepyhorse]

Just taken ds2 to doctors to request a hearing test for him as firstly he seems to have a balance problem and always falling over and secondly he only has 5 words at 18 months. Seeing as my first son who is 3.5 and is being assessed for ASD (has significant speech delay etc) I just thought it was the sensible thing to get ds checked early to make sure he is ok. I read on the net that by 18 months a child should have at least 20 words so was just a bit worried and I think considering what we are going through with ds1 it's understandable.

Anyway when I said to the gp that ds only has 5 words and shouldn't he have at least 20 by now he replied "no he should have 6 words!". Obviously being sarcastic but I didn't really appreciate it. Am I being neurotic?

You're not being neurotic.

Your GP is not being helpful

I'm fairly sure 5 words at 18 months is fine. The last development checklist I had to complete :) Asked if my child had single words by 12 months, and was stringing 2 or more words together by 2 years.

(But I'm not a SALT - of which there are 2 very good ones on here - so I could be totally wrong)

I would be concerned about the balance problem, but not by the words.

I'm not sure who the best person is to see about the balance problem. It could be caused by any number of things.... (or it could be fine :) )

Is your HV any nicer?

your gp was unacceptably rude and yes sarcastic. if he felt you were worrying needlessly (which you most probably are but understandable) he should have reassured you about the normal rangefo child development and asked you some questions about your baby responding to sounds.

fwiw, my very normal 21 month old fell over almost continuously at 18 months and didnt even have 5 words at that time.

Oh thanks ladies, feel a bit more assured now. He has referred ds anyhow for a hearing test eventhough he was quite unpleasant with it. What makes me laugh is that this particular gp is the only one that's ever available when I phone up to book appointments, obviously none of the other patients want to use him...LOL. I think next time I will request a different gp even if it means having to wait a week to be seen!

Does anyone know what the balance thing could mean? Is it generally associated with hearing?

I don't know anything about babies.

But in older kids, as well as inner ear problems, it could indicate gross motor skill problems.

But I have no idea at what stage children should stop having balance problems.

At what age did she begin to walk?

Speak to your health visitor. I cant remember what age but you must have a hearing test coming up soon that the HV does :)

AND get another GP with a bit more TACT

I remember reading that an 18month old should have around 6-20 words.
But given your other son is being assessed for ASD I am surprised your GP is so abrupt.

At 2.3years I brought in my ds to the GP with concerns. They dismissed me too. They wouldn't give me a referral despite ds having no language at all! We went private ....DS got a diagnosis of ASD last year. I am so angry at how quick GP's are to dismiss parents concerns. Keep trying with GPs,HV and childrens centre's (sometimes they have SALTs/OTs/experienced staff come in) if there is a problem then at least your lo gets early intervention.

Write to the practice manager with your complaint about the attitude of this GP. I have done this before and it works.
They have to respond in writing as to their actions.

All babies differ with speech; my eldest spoke fluently at 18 months, whole sentences but her sister was a little slower, about 2'ish. But you should go by your own instincts as you know your child and this GP clearly doesn't.

Don't just let it go. it is unacceptable behaviour on his part and they get away with arrogance and rudeness far too often.

What is the difference between God and a doctor?
God doesn't think he's a doctor.

Hi Sleepy.
GP totally rude and that's what this thread is about.
If you are worried about balance problem have it checked out by all means.
However, both my children had phases around that time where they just couldn't walk without toppling over. I was very concerned (as was nursery) the first time around. Both times the clumsy phase resolved itself withing 6 weeks, so there might be nothing to worry about. Good luck.

oh what a rude GP esp considering your DS1 . I would complain to the practice manager.

glad you got your referral though.

DD had balance problems. she also had glue ear and our ENT consultant said the glue ear could affect her balance. she did really improve after getting grommets. but don't panic - in most cases glue ear (if it would be the case with DS2) will resolve in its own without surgery.

when you have the hearing test, ask them also to do a tympanogram (not sure if this is standard practice) as this is used to diagnose glue ear.

PS glue ear can also affect the hearing and delay the speech and language development. have to say though that I know plenty of 18 months old who do not have words... but trust your instincts!

Yes I heard that this can be the case with glue ear. When ds2 had Kawasaki disease back in Jan he started off with a very bad ear infection so could well be that he has glue ear. Then again it could be nothing, like some of you have said your kids had bad balance and less words at that age and then it all turned out fine. I guess I'm just being cautious because of what's happening with ds1.