Hi Moms, can you help me through this one?
Am considering leaving our much loved pediatrician who is great with everything but developmental issues. My daughter has a severe speech and language disorder with developmental delays. She has been receiving speech therapy for five years and OT for Sensory Processing, but none of these services were ever recommended by our pediatrician. Instead of listening to his advice, I used my own instincts to get her help. Things were going great for her until most recently. Now with definite evidence of issues that include huge struggles in school, extremely poor self-esteem, transitional anxiety, and most currently compulsive and impulsive behavior issues, we went to see a developmental pediatrician that was recommended to us by her pediatrician. We recieved 3 possible reasons for her delays, none which are autism, referred to a pyschologist, and prescribed Alderall. I read the warnings with the medication and became extremely alarmed. ( My daughter was diagnosed with a very rare heart condition at 6 weeks that supposedly corrected itself.) No blood tests or examinations were done to rule out any medical condition that can explain her most current behavior and mood swings as well as headaches. After phoning her pediatrican with concerns about this medication, knowing that he recommends this medication just because his friend recommended it, I have come to the conclusion we need a second opinion. I cannot bring myself to give her this medication until I know it is the correct solution. Does anyone have any recommendations for a pediatrician who is knowledgable enough with learning delays and the medications that are being prescribed? We badly need knowledge, not more questions. Thanks!
We take the short drive from Plano to Dr. Deborah Bain in Frisco (it's not far). She is very patient and listens well! If there is an alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals, then she will recommend it. This is why we love her so! She is committed to her families.
http://www.healthykidspediatrics.com/html/Home.htm
Hi, I have a 5 year old with some similar issues and we have a neurologist and therapist and a great Peditrician they should all be working together to help you with what you need... I am not realy happy right now with our neurologist we have so I wont tell you the name. but you should find one an or a phsyciatrist to prescribe meds not your pedi.
I do like "Our Childrens House Baylor" is a great place to go for all types of therapy and evaluations... Also we really like Dr. Kimberley Mehendle at willow bend pediatricts. shes our pedi and she is very good at working with us on all the issues.
Good luck
A. J
Hi-first of all,how old is your daughter?There are so many different routes to take to evaluate her and get a diagnosis so you are going to "hear" many different ideas from people out there.Have you seen a Pediatric neurologist?What were the 3 possible reasons for her issues?I am actually a Pediatrician in plano and have a son with ADHD,anxiety and mild Aspergers Syndrome so I have been through this from both sides of the waiting room!Please let me know how I can help.
I'll give a second vote to Dr. Bain. I too found that my former pediatricians could not think outside the traditional med., write a script, box. We've only been using her since March, but following her advice has made a noticeable change in my children. You do have to walk in with an open mind and understand that she is very committed to improving nutrition.
http://www.healthykidspediatrics.com/html/Home.htm We also go to Dr Bain! We live down by SMU and make the drive to see her! My twin girls were preemies born at 30 weeks and have some on going health issues and she is great with them! We have gone to "5" different Pedi's before we fouond her! I can't say enough great things about her and her office!
Thanks to my 10 year old daughter, after reading your plea, she reminded me of a program we saw on tv about a girl whose symptoms were similar to your daughters. She had a cerebrum buldge below the ocipital bone of the skull. This caused severe headaches, loss of energy, depression , and moodiness. A hospital in New York (Sloane?)Had a surgeon who could help without touching the brain stem. About the developmental issues , I do not know. To this day the girl that had the headaches is now just fine, and very happy, pain free.-T., Dallas.
This condition takes a brain scan to diagnose. The doctors never thought of it. The mother's persistant searching was what it took.
First...don't rush to leave your pediatrician if you feel that you can still trust him/her. I would contact your pharmacy for immediate advice on the meds (to give you some other perspective) and tell your pediatrician that you need to speak with him/her IMMEDIATELY. The doctor needs to address your concerns and help you figure out a course of action. If he cannot do that then it is time to look for someone who can. Despite the fact that she is receiving services it it sounds as if your daughter needs a complete evaluation or re-evaluation. Poor self-esteem would be logical since she is struggling with school and has speech delay. She may fear transition because she may be unable to keep up. Has she had a complete eye exam (not the one the school gives but an independet one)? I am absolutely not one to rush to meds and I certainly would not rush to mask symptoms. You need a more complete picture of what is going on. Why is she having developmentally delayed? Why does she still need speech therapy? Sometimes everything is intertwined.
Good luck and keep advocating.
I'm really happy with ours Jason Moshier with North Dallas Pediatrics their number is ###-###-####. My son has vision problems and without hesitation he recommended Scottish Rite for testing. I was totally thrilled. My nefew is also a patient there and he has speech issues and was helped with their recommendation. They are located on 15th by the hospital.
Good Luck.
Check with Integrative Pediatric Therapy. ###-###-####
They provide al sorts of therapy and might have a list of developmental pediatricians in the area.
I.
May I suggest Dr Ernie Fernandez near Presbyterian (right off 75). He is so great with kids. Our insurance changed sadly. He is well able to think out of the box and listens to parents.
Fernandez Ernie
8355 Walnut Hill Ln
Dallas, TX 75231 Map
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Also we see a great neuropsyc that has diagnosed my daughter's LDs and helped make huge strides with my son's traumatic brain injury by giving us the information we needed to help them.
Peter L. Stavinoha, Ph.D. - Differential diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, central nervous system cancer, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, autism, neurological disorders affecting learning and behavior
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We also have a great neurologist that we see at Cook's in Fort Worth
Please let me know if you want more information.
