Not a good morning | Autism PDD
Sorry you had such a bad visit. It is hard to find a good doctor, one that really cares! I changed DS pediatrician last year. I was tired of hearing the doctors stand at the front desk discussing the weekend while the poor nurses run ragged and we wait!
I hope Matthew feels better soon!
Ruth...picky is good sometimes! :)
We went through 12 pediatricians ourselves, the bad thing is that no single doctor really "knows" your child until you find the "keeper". It was well worth all the hassle we went through...I'd do it again if I had to. Keep looking if that's what your gut tells you! It's tough, but as you know already, a doctor that won't listen isn't worth your time OR money.
Good luck!
~Lesley
I hope Matthew is feeling better soon!
Hi MomtoMathew!
I am sooooo sorry you had such a crappy visit! You would THINK parents would understand autism, and actually talk to Mathew, too. I believe that was REALLY rude of her! I know what you mean about the waiting. When the docs KNOW an autistic child is coming in, they SHOULD get them in ASAP. AJ doesn't sit still for nothing...sometimes we put him in the stroller as that is the only way we can keep him under control and not hafta be running after him all the time. He always wants to check out what is behind door number one, two and THREE.
pat I went through THREE doctors in 3 weeks for our son. The first one we never even made it into the exam room. They made us wait in a overcrowded waiting room for 2 hours. They said they did not have a place in the back for us to wait and that if we waited outside at the front doors they would not come get us. " If we did it for an autistic child we would have to do it for everyone." Doctor #2 Walked into the exam room NEVER TOUCHED Paul Jr. (aka Junior), and charged us 0.00. He then had his office call me later and tell me not to bring our son back because he didn't want Autistic patients. Doctor #3 was honest and said she didn't know much about Autism but she was willing to learn about it and treat our son. She was great. We just moved AGAIN (Army) and Junior's new doctor is a gift from God!! He knows all about B6/Magnesium Therapy, DMG therapy, Sensory Diets, ect. He doesn't wear a white coat or scrubs either because it scares a lot of "his kids". He wears BDU's just like their parents so the kids are familiar with the uniform. As far as other parents/people go.... Only in the US have we ever had problems. Strangers feel it is their "DUTY" to walk up to me and tell me what a rotten parent I am (as my son is in the middle of a melt down at Wal-Mart), I should feel embarrassed that my son is such a spoiled brat (another melt down, in a pharmacy), I should feel ashamed for beating my son and she was calling Child Protective Services right now (bruises on his forehead from head banging). Mostly I just smile and tell them that he is Autistic. 9 out of 10 they switch gears so fast I can see smoke coming out of their ears. " He is the most well behaved disabled child I have ever seen." (wal-mart) Once I did lose it once and screamed over Junior " He's Autistic alright. He has been like this all day and if you think you can do a better job with him than I can right now, TAKE HIM!!!" I handed him to her, walked up to the counter paid for my items (the cashier didn't know what to do) calmly took Junior back who was completely freaked out because a stranger was trying to hold him, told her thank you and walked away. I was in the parking lot (kicking myself on the way to the car for losing my mind) when the woman caught up to me. By this time my son was calm and she apologized to me. I went home feeling pretty good. She will never "Judge a book by it's cover" again.
Sorry for such a long reply. I hope your son feels better!!! ~Brooke~ Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. Ruth Sorry to hear of the experience you had. Some people are just rude and teach their children to be the same. How sad. I hope Matthew is feeling better soon.... I would also keep looking for a new doc.... Your time is just as valuable as theirs!
Thought for the day:
I so loved what you did. I am ROFLMAO thinking of the look on her face. I am glad too that she came and apologised to you.
I had a woman walk up to my son when he was having a meltdown and ask
"Are you having a bad day?" then she walked straight off before he
could respond even if he was able to. I just called to her retreating
back "No he just has Autism". Well she stopped dead, her ears turned
red but she didn't have the guts to turn around and apologise.
In the end I printed up some cards that said "Please excuse my son's
behaviour, he has Autism." with a short explanation about Autism and
the phone number of our support group if they required more info. I
never used them but I felt better knowing I could. But some of the mums
in the group did and they felt so much better. One mum loved handing
them to people staring at her son when he was having a meltdown (he was
7 or 8 at the time) and seeing the looks of embarrassment on their
faces when they realised how horrible they were being.
Ruth,
You go for it. I also ring ahead and check the policy regarding wait
time etc. Before I leave for the appointment I ring and check if the Dr
is running on time. I have had the staff come outside to get me where I
am waiting because it is so hard in the waiting room.
I always ensure a Doctor is "Autism Friendly" before I am prepared to
spend my money. The receptionist should be aware if he is or not. If
not, I would ask her to check with the Doctor and get back to you.
Matthew, GET WELL SOON sweetie.
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