If your DC already has a diagnosis...

So DS was diagnosed on the spectrum already, by a developmental pediatrician. He's in a full day program and responding beautifully. Of course he still has many issues and will always have them, we just keep working on them every day, bring him to his various other therapies outside of school (additional speech, sensory gym, social skill group, etc).

My mother keeps insisting we bring him to a neurologist. I ask her why, she gives me no solid answer, I don't even think she knows why honestly. But I think that she thinks that a neurologist can give us an "answer", or a cure. I've explained to her that there's no magic pill for this, it's a condition that will always have to be managed and that so far he's made great gains which are obvious but then still has severe deficits in some areas which we continue to work on via therapy, nutrition, etc.

Every time I say, "ma tell me what you think going to a neurologist will solve" she gets mad like I'm just not listening to her. Not for nothing, we have a $50 specialist copay so I'm not just going to make an appt to appease her. She's super understanding about DS but I just don't get why she's insisting on this and wondering myself if maybe I should take him.

Is there truly anything the neurologist can "see" or tell me that I don't already know as far as his diagnosis? I don't think his diagnosis is incorrect, he's clearly on the spectrum and shows all signs of having apraxia. We've accepted it. Just looking to either have something to tell my mother in defense of not going or whether I should indeed see one...

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

In my experience NO. The only thing they can see if there's another issue going on, example- seizures. We brought my 7 year old twice now. Plus we did a MRI. Basically all it told us was his brain was "normal". I said to her, normal?????? I've never been told that before. My child doesn't speak, my child stims every waking moment, my child is not connected with our world. She explained that MRI's are not to determine autism but to see if there are any other medical issues going on. She then suggested a EEG to see if his learning was being haltered by brain seizures. We haven't done that yet because I went for a 2nd op and she didn't feel there was concern for that. (the testing is 24 hours with leads on the head and basically your stuck in a bed, ok how do I get my kid to sit still for a minute let alone a day!) So they offered us medication like blood pressure med's or anti-psychotic but I def didn't feel the need for that. Other than that there was nothing else she could do. So point being unless you feel there's a medical reason for it I wouldn't. Sadly there's no magic pill for autism and sometimes people don't get it. (my mother was the one who pushed me into going and after bringing her I think she got it now) HTH.

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

if she is willing to pay the co-pay and it wil shut her up then i say do it.

for us, we had DS diagnosed through early intervention, he had a psychological done.

(i knew when he was 6 months old he was autistic) we then got another evaluation done through Hofstra.

I am not sure why we went but a year or so after his DX we had to see a neurologist for him, and he of course confirmed what i knew already since infancy.

sorry so long winded.. but with that said.. tell her if you feel we should see a neuro, she needs to pay any co-pays or costs that come accosted with the visit.

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

To be honest, she probably wants you to see a neurologist because she may think that a neurologist is best suited to make a diagnosis in the hopes that maybe the developmental ped is wrong.

If you want some peace of mind (or she does) than go and have her pay. But if the diagnosis is different keep it to yourself and retain all of the services he is getting now because it isn't hurting him.

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

My first post here. I took DS to a neurologist to rule out other issues. He was only a year old, didn't have a diagnosis (still does not at 2.5, at least not more specific than global delays).

They did an MRI, she does observations and could provide a diagnosis if there was a clear one yet, I suspect we will have something more specific as he gets closer to 3.

I did it as I said, to rule out something underlying, but also because no one was giving me anything to take to EI for services. What she gave me was helpful in getting services. However, if you don't need the peace of mind (i.e. sounds like you are pretty solid in your DS's diagnosis) and if you don't need additional ammo for services, then probably no point.

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

He was diagnosed by a psychologist from the agency at 18 months as autistic

Within 1 year, he completely bloomed to a full classic autism.

I don't need to do anymore test. I was going to but in the end, why subject him to more test (he hates Dr. and gets extremelly agitated /cries).

There is not even a question that my kid is autistic.

I don't need to upset him more just for me to try to find some sort of misdiagnosis.

He has no seizure, etc... No medical condition.

He is autistic. That's it!

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

Is she in denial that your child is on the spectrum? Or is she looking for another opinion?
My son was dx by a a psychologist who specilaizes in kids with Autism. We did go to a neurologist to rule out seizures.
Someone told me to go to a developmental pediatrician...but what for?? to tell me that my son has Autism...I know that already.
I understand family members can be very pushy, but sometimes old school.
If it will make her at ease, then go.

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

No, there is nothing a neurologist can do or say to you that you don't already know. If I were you I would tell your mom if she pays for the $50 co pay you have you'll take him (and make sure she goes with you) so you can appease her and just for a lack of a better term "shut up" kwim?

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

I actually think finding the "right" neurologist who has an interest in the immunological connection may help uncover some "medical" issues going on that can be disturbing development.

Do you think your mom cares about the "diagnosis" as much as a reason why the diagnosis exists ? Perhaps she is hoping a medical doctor can uncover a cause and develop a treatment plan ?

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

Our trip to the neurologist was a complete waste of time. She was diagnosed by a school psychologist who specializes in spectrum disorders. She is doing beautifully in school.

Re: If your DC already has a diagnosis...

I agree with everyone else. There is likely nothing further a neurologist can do for you. They can assess for gross neurological problems, such as seizure, brain tumor/lesions, or other major neurological dysfunction. So if you have any reason to suspect something like that, it would make sense to go. I'm curious what your mom thinks the neurologist can do?