Wasted Time Today ...

I was actually looking forward to this particular appointment for my son today.  He visited a speech pathologist at CCF.

I had high hopes to get answer to questions I didn't even know I had.  Donovan's ENT (Otolaryngologist) Specialist wanted him evaluated by a speech specialist before doing an adenoidectomy  and possible tonsillectomy.  Not sure what she was looking for but she asked if Donovan had any speech issues.  I told her he stutters a lot these days.  Actually has been stuttering a lot since he left the hospital over a year ago.  Was hoping he'd grow out of it but it looks like he is not.

Anyway, the first thing the speech specialist asked was what are you looking to accomplish?  I'm like okay, my child stutters and I need him evaluated to determine if this is going to be a long-term issue or a short-term temporary issue.  The first thing she says is that the director of the "department" has determined that they will not support "stuttering" as a problem to offer therapy for.  That she could give me a name of someone at the Hearing and Speech center.  I could tell that at this point she wanted me to leave and that she was washing her hands of Donovan's stuttering issue.  I proceeded to ask her if she was aware of or heard of Noonan Syndrome? Nope!  Looked at me like I was speaking some gibberish.

I indicated to her that my son's ENT specialist wanted him evaluated before him having his adenoids and tonsils removed.  Not sure what she wants evaluated but thought that was understood by the "referral".  Apparently not, so I guess I'm at fault for not asking the ENT what she wanted him specifically evaluated for.  But what troubles me is that they are located on the same floor of the building, maybe it would have been beneficial for her to pick up her phone and contact the doctor to "find out" what it was she wanted him exactly evaluated for.  Had I been the speech specialist I would have gone that extra mile for a patient/parent.

She did take notes and noticed his stuttering.  She felt that it wasn't "bad enough" and that I have a good handle on him and that its good that I'm taking it seriously.  Ok, I'm taking this seriously but why aren't you?? is what I really wanted to say.  Fortunately, the city school system will be evaluating him again and will offer therapy if warranted.  I'm pretty sure it is warranted.

I left feeling totally let down.  I'm disappointed that a person who was planning to evaluate my son didn't even take the time to open up his chart and read about him.  She should have known about his Noonan Syndrome, maybe done a little bit of research before we walked into the room.  We go to specialists at the same institution so that they have access to his chart.  I don't get it.  I would never dream of going into a patient's room without knowing a little bit about the patient, if I was a specialist.  I cut the "general pediatricians" some slack because they see tons of kids daily and the "threw-put" would be extremely slow if they read everything in a child's chart especially Donovan's chart.  However, this was a specialist and I would think that at least she should have skimmed his chart to see what might be relevant to her - ie. his ear, nose & throat history and the fact that he has a genetic disorder.  She could have asked me relevant questions like, "oh I see he has a genetic disorder called Noonans, I'm not familiar with it" can you give me some insights on the disorder from your prospective?"  Then I would have felt at least she took some sort of interest in my child.

I left with just this tiny bit of information.  He appears to be short of stature (no shit), this could impact his speech when it comes to "sound" - in other words he has a high pitched voice.  May not grow out of it.

Call me if you have any questions!  I'll write up the report and mail it to you.

Thanks so much for nothing!