where to start getting dd assessed

[breakingthebank]

I just don't know what to do my dd was an extremely prem baby. She's now 7. I've been concerned for a while about a couple of things to do with her development. Firstly she has 1 leg longer than the other which causes her mobility difficult and pain. physio discharged us 2 yrs ago saying shed grow out of it, it's got worse if anything. been waiting 4 mths for a new physio appt and still nothing. I also suspect she has some learning difficulties. have been pushing school for ed psych assessment but the process is so longwinded, she has to go through a load of assessments with a behaviour support woman first. I don't know whether it is possible to just get her reviewed by a paediatrician or someone who can look at all her circumstances and issues and coordinate support? If its possible is this something I can do privately to speed it up?

Is she not seen by a paediatrician at all?

If not go to your GP and ask for a referral. You could go private to speed up the process.

You might also be better to ask for a referal to an orthopedic consultant about her leg length. Not sure how she is meantto grow out of it

Good luck

Thanks for the advice. i know, i did think it was strange when the physio said she'll grow out of it but I thought they must know what they are talking about

Think I'll ring the GP again tomorrow to ask for a referral. She was discharged by neonatal paediatrician when she was 2. Tbh it just seems like no one wants to listen to my concerns.

I will write a list, wasn't sure whether the learning difficulties issue could be looked at out of school or whether I had to go via school? She is really behind at school and just can't seem to grasp the basics with numbers at all. She still doesn't know days/months and doesn't really have an understanding of time. She will be going into junior school in September and I am worried about how she will manage

Dont rely on school to do anything! They should have acted by now

Take the lead, you know your Dd better than anyone.

Make a list of your concerns and go to your GP.

Good luck

right, I have a GP appt in 20 mins so wish me luck! I've written a list so hopefully he'll listen to me

Thanks polter. The GP has referred to community paediatrics. He feels dd is showing signs of learning difficulty and is likely to need extra support.

Great news that your GP was supportive. Make some notes or keep a diary of your Dd's difficulties while you wait for the appointment.

Good luck

Glad to hear that your GP was supportive and good luck with the next appt.
I just thought I'd add on about leg length discrepancy. You should definitely ask for referral to orthopaedic consultant too if it is causing difficulty and pain. My DD has this and she wears a shoe raise, made by the orthotics department. The orthopaedic consultant does a CT scan of her leg every year. They can't predict which way the discrepancy will go (even up over time, stay different by the same amount or become more different), but they need to keep measuring it incase it is the worst case and they need to do surgery. There is a small window around adolescence where they would do this. Anyway, the main thing I was trying to say is that you DD could benefit from a shoe raise and monitoring. Not trying to scare you, but just hoping that you get more help.

Thanks boboma. I think she needs something like a shoe raise so will def ask for ref to orthopaedic consultant. physio were absolute rubbish last time, took 12 mths to discover she has one leg shorter than the other I think they should have referred her to someone then but hey ho you live and learn!