Should I wait to go see a new Dev Ped for 2nd opinion?

We recently switched Developmental Pediatrician (have not seen the new one yet, appt in 3 weeks). We last saw the old one in January. She started talking about medicating him and this was just the 2nd appt with her. So looking to see if we may be able to get a Dev Ped that can help with some different options before medication.

We are not quite ready to go that route yet and was wondering if we should even go to this new one, or wait and hold off till later on in the year? I'm actually not really sure anymore what we should expect out of these appointments and the doctor unless we feel ready to go the medication route?

My DS is 5 and just started Kindergarten this year. Teachers are constantly telling us he is impulsive. Academically right now he is doing great. But they are constantly telling us come next year he may not be able to stay on track because of his impulsiveness.

He was diagnosed with ASD when he was 2 and we do have an IEP.

Message edited 4/4/2017 12:19:56 PM.

Should I wait to go see a new Dev Ped for 2nd opinion?

My son was diagnosed when he was 2-ish. He is now 5 1/2 and in K.
Prior to kindergarten, he attended school since he was 2.
K was a terrible time for us. His impulsiveness, talking back, violence.
Finally around Christmas we started him on medication and the difference has been night and day. A small dose after breakfast before he goes to school. It wears off before the school day is even over and you can see that in his behavior as well.
I struggled for quite a while with adding the medication. And then I thought about what my son's day is like - Don't do that, Don't hit; quiet mouth; sit still - those are the things he hears all day. And after thinking about that I realized that if the medication could help alleviate that for him and just help to take the edge off then it was worth a shot. We also started at home ABA therapy at the same time. SO ultimately we are hoping that everything will come together and we can get off the meds.
Go for the second opinion, but don't discount the value of medication.

Message edited 4/4/2017 3:13:17 PM.

Should I wait to go see a new Dev Ped for 2nd opinion?

Does your child have a behavior plan in place. Is he getting any behavior modifications? I would work on behavior plans before starting on a medication. If he is already getting modifications, sometimes medicine is what is needed to help them. There is nothing wrong with medicating as long as you are working with other types of therapies as well. We started using medicine for my daughter at 5.

Re: Should I wait to go see a new Dev Ped for 2nd opinion?

My DD has Adhd. She was put on meds in the 1st grade after a behavior plan did not work. She was impulsive in school and not listening at all. We tried everything. From all organic taking out dyes and natural alternatives. Nothing seemed to help her. So this year we tried meds after a very long and tough decision we decided to try it. Within 1 week of school the phone calls and emails stopped. Now going on 5 months with medication and I have not received one bad call. So it has been a lifesaver for us. Yes she still has Adhd..the meds wont change that. But in school she is not being disruptive or doing the impulsive things. Yes she is hyper when she gets home since it wears off but just knowing I am helping her in class makes me feel good about my decision. Always go for a 2nd opinion if you don't feel comfortable. We see a pediatric Neurologist. His name is Dr. Manganas. He did not push the meds on us and wouldn't even diagnose her until he was 100% certain that she had adhd and not a maturity issue. Good Luck! Any questions we are all here for you!

Message edited 4/5/2017 8:39:57 AM.

Should I wait to go see a new Dev Ped for 2nd opinion?

Can anyone recommend a developmental pediatrician where you don't have to wait months to get an appt?

Re: Should I wait to go see a new Dev Ped for 2nd opinion?