Diagnosis and Second Opinion?

Question

My son has been evaluated to see if he may be Autistic and for other disabilities. We're having the big diagnosis meeting this Thursday to see what they say may be the issues. I was just wondering, if I don't agree or just because I feel like I should, How would I go about getting a second opinion? We were referred to this program through his pediatrician, so how can I go around that and who would I go to? Any tips would be very helpful, especially from anyone who is or has gone through this themselves. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

You are definitely entitled to a second opinion, and no doctor or other health professional should be "offended" that you want one. Even for medical diagnoses such as cancer, second opinions are encouraged.
Ask for another referral through the pediatrician program (they should have more than one doctor), contact parent support groups, look up local autism websites and contact schools. Depending on the state in which you live, there may also be state programs to help. Look up your state's Department of Developmental Disabilities online for more info.

Answer 2

Autism is such a broad diagnosis. I've done several papers on it and if you really look at the symptoms, everyone has some degree of autism. Anyway, you are definitly intitled to a second opinion. If the doctor looks at you like you're crazy, then he's not a good doctor. This diagnosis is a big deal and you don't want to (pardon my expression) fiddle-fart with it. Don't ask your pediatrician for a second referal, you'll get someone with the same opnion. You can go through your insurance, or the school if applicable. Also there is a website that has a list of certified doctors. I can't remember the website address, but if you google it or something it should be easy to find. That's how I found my gynocologist-oncologist.

Answer 3

YEs, I've been through this. You can either go back to your pediatrician and ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician or neurologist for a 2nd opinion, or look up these kind of doctors yourself at your closest Children's Hospital. But these are the kind of doctors you want to look for. Obviously a personal recommendation is best, ask around to your friends and relatives - you'd be surprised, everyone seems to know someone!

The first doctor I took my son to was referred to me through Early Intervention. They gave me a list of about 10 doctors to choose from - I went to two different ones on the list. Then when he got a bit older, and started preschool, I went to another doctor that some friends of his in school went to. I liked the last one the best, although all three doctors pretty much gave me the same diagnosis/treatment recommendations so I'm comfortable what we are doing.

Bottom line is its really important to like the doctor that is treating yoru child, and that you are on the same page. But also remember they may be telling you things that you don't want to hear. Good luck!!

Answer 4

You didn't say if he was evaluated by the school psycologist or another private doctor or by a mental health association. If he was evaluated by a school recommended physician yu ahve the right to a second opinion and they should tell you so. If there is a Children's First Center near you they will do evaluations and the rate you pay is on a sliding scale. If there is nothing in that area contact yur local Mental Health association and ask them. They also have doctors available or will be able to recommend someone with experience. Also, did you try your pediatrician or your own doctor. They usually have good contcts.

Answer 5

Call your insurance company and ask for other doctors or programs that do these types of diagnosis. You might try your local elementary school or school board for suggestions...they may not "refer" you but the schools deal with this all the time and may have some good advice.

Best of luck to you. Whatever the diagnoses I'm sure your son will be a treasure to all who know him. Remember you are not the only one.

Answer 6

I'm the mom of a 12 yr old boy diagnosed with PDD-NOS (high-functioning autism) and know that you're going through a stressful time right now. You should definitely feel free to get a 2nd opinion and your pediatrician can certainly refer you to another professional to begin that process. Keep in mind that you are first and foremost an advocate for you child so never feel like you're going to offend someone by getting 2nd opinions or looking at all the treatment and/or therapeutic alternatives. You should also looking into any public early childhood intervention programs in your area. There are programs offered through most counties for 0-3 intervention for children birth - 3 yrs of age where you'll have access to speech/occupational/physical therapies. Once your child reaches 3 yrs of age, he can be evaluated (for free) through your public school district to determine his eligibility for speech therapy and/or PreK. My son has been in speech therapy (private and thru public school) since the age of 3 and entered PPCD (PreK for children with disabilities and/or delays) at 3-1/2. He has been able to function in a mainstream classroom with a special ed support teacher for most of his academic classes, making A's and B's, and will be entering middle school this fall in an accelerated above-level Math class. Honestly, 9 yrs ago this future seemed out of the realm of possibility. We just decided that whatever the diagnosis, our son was going to have the same opportunities as well as the same expectations and responsibilities as his "normal" peers.

Answer 7

I think I would be thinking more about how are you going to deal with the diagnosis when you get it. (one way or the other).
If you have doubts about the people you are going to see, you could ask the pediatrician for a second referral elsewhere.
If you don't want to do that, then look on line for austism associations. There are no doubt many of them. They can help.

Answer 8

check your local childrens hospital, thats where i had all my kids testing done. i went to 3 different drs all gave me the same diagnosis then i just stayed with the one i liked the best

Answer 9

you ought to maximum somewhat get a 2d opinion. it somewhat is cautioned in such a concern, extraordinarily with any doctor changing their minds. the ultimate element is to accomplish that as quickly as achieveable. As a affected person, or affected person's carer, you have each and every appropriate to seek for a 2d opinion. actually, many doctor's recommend it. the two seek around to locate the 2d doctor, or ask your doctor to recommend one for you. i could recommend looking one your self, and ensuring they do no longer seem to be affiliated with your modern-day oncologist. actual ask your modern-day doctor/s (oncologist/GP/different experts - whomever mandatory) to forward all information as quickly as you have got here upon somebody. there is no reason to place you and your relative by each and every of an analogous rigidity and time-ingesting and tiring appointments ultimate desires, and my empathy. i desire and pray for issues to pass properly the full way ~Eleni