Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

We recently had our 2nd follow up appointment with our Dev. Ped at Northwell Health this week. The first one was a little under a year ago.

Our DS (5 years old with high functioning ASD) started kindy and he is academically doing great, but having a tough time socially. Melt downs (mainly after breaks, impulsive and lack of focus).

The pediatrician immediately jumped to talking to us about medication, wants us to think about it and went over what she would prescribe. I was honest and told her I really do not want to look into that yet, and would like to try things like changing his diet, vitamins etc. And she told me that none of that stuff works. The researches done are inconclusive. The only one proven to maybe help was Fish Oil. She went on to even say that she did not believe artificial coloring in food had any impact (because I mentioned that I shyed away from Flinstone vitamins due to the artificial coloring in them).

I was really shocked to hear all this and that she was pushing meds by the 2nd appt.

Is that normal? Is what she is saying valid about how diet and supplements have no effect?

I did not shoot the meds down, and we asked questions about the meds, but was just super bummed that she seemed to really push it and shot down any natural method we were interested in trying first.

I am unsure if I should see another doc in this same practice to get a 2nd opinion, or is this just how they all are and how it works?

It really bummed me out.

Message edited 1/28/2017 7:59:06 AM.

Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Call Dr.Victoria Chen... Thats who we see and are happy. I think 5 years old is too young for medication. BTW- i definitely think diets have a huge effect on children. Read the 'Feingold Diet'... Its eye opening.

Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

We also use that same practice and see Dr. Adesman. He does not believe in medication first and we actually had to beg him to start our daughter on prozac. He believes more in congnative training and supplements. But saying that, that is what he thought was best for my daughter. His answer might not be the same for another child.

You need to find a doctor who you fit with. It takes alot of trial and error. We went through about 3 Dev Peds before Dr. Adesman and now we are on the therapist route and I must have been though 10 of them before we found the one who clicked. I wouldn't write off the entire practice, just ask to see another doctor who is more in line with what you are looking for.

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

we went to the same place and had virtually the same experience with a young female dr...i was completely unimpressed with her. she said medication was the only way to help my child. she said OT and vision therapy aren't real science and nothing would work without medicine.

completely turned off and did not return for our 6 month check up.

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Who was the doctor? We've seen Dr. Huang and I thought she was great. She did not want to medicate my son (he is lower functioning ASD) and instead suggested I add on ABA at home, and gave me a list of recommended fish oil supplements to give to him.

ETA- we've been trying NAET as an alternative treatment with our son and not sure if it works but figured it's worth a shot.

Message edited 1/30/2017 9:51:41 AM.

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Thanks all for the advice/suggestions.

We see Dr. P. Maybe she is just not the right fit for us. I honestly don't know either though what we are to expect from a Dev Ped (if we are not ready to go the medication route). We made the appt a year ago to see someone so that when we had the CSE meeting we would have some additional back up info for services.

We already know how our son is, his school and therapists already give us info, so I don't think we were looking to have the Dev Ped tell us who our son is. I think we were hoping to get more guidance ie what type of behavior plan would be recommended, what type of services would be good, should we do more ABA, social skills, OT, suggestions to help him focus, books, nutrition etc. And it is ok for them to talk about medication (we expect that will be a topic) but I was sad to hear her push it only at the 2nd appt and not knowing who he even is. And when we said we do not want to go down that path yet, to knock down our ideas of nutrition and other ideas.

Maybe I am seeing the wrong type of doc? Should I see a nutritionist instead if we want to start with a more natural approach (ie diet and vitamins)? I am still open to trying another doc there as well... so I'll give them a call to see if we can set something up with another doc.

Thank you!

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Definitely try another dev ped - I switched doctors at that practice as well. After a couple of appointments I realized I wasn't comfortable with the doctor we were seeing. I also recommend Dr. Ruee Huang. She will give suggestions to try other things before recommending medication and she is a warm and kind doctor. She is also very accessible - once you are her patient you can ask her questions via email as well.

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Did anyone have difficulty switching docs at this practice? They are telling me I cannot switch unless I get approval from both docs. So they said they will have to speak with them to see if they can fit my son into Dr. Huang's schedule and she is booked till August!

So do I basically start back as a new patient and go back into the waiting line?

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

I had an issue as well. Sending you FM.

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Wow Dr. Huang is booked for 6 months? Crazy. Word must be getting out that she is a good doctor!

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

I think also wanting to get an appointment before making decisions for new school year in Sept. Time just flies yikes!!

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

Message edited 2/3/2017 1:44:32 PM.

Re: Dev Ped Appt. - bummed me out

She has a direct line you can get to her with?? That is impressive!