The Pediatrician (or Other Mommies You Don’t Like)
What do you do when you make an appointment with an unknown but highly recommended pediatrician to test your son for ADD/ADHD? You attend the appointment. But what if, just what if when that doctor walks into the room you realize that she is that mom from hockey last year who you sort of snubbed because she was really annoying and whiny, and thought every single mom was making eyes at her husband, and is also probably too skinny? Well after you both pretend you are great pals amid squeals of good-to-see-you, you awkwardly tell your story and proceed with the program. Wondering during the entire appointment if you can trust her.
So I answered the questions and most of my answers were yes. Yes, he talks constantly. Yes, he has frequent outbursts (meltdowns). Yes, he consistently has a hard time getting started with any project. Yes, he has a hard time staying focused on anything except drawing or reading for longer than seven minutes. Yes, he gets up and walks around the classroom at inappropriate times (daily). And on and on. Yes, he is gifted. The doctor assigns a questionnaire which I need to complete as well as two versions of the questionnaire for two teachers to complete. Essentially these entail the same questions asked at the appointment. We all turn in our papers and then she adds up the scores and we go from there.
When I brought the paperwork to the Boy’s current teacher she was elated. As if the forms were a hot rock, she filled them out and faxed them back to the pediatrician before lunch that very day. I wish I could say it was because she is just so damn helpful and caring but that is not the case. She feels that my son is complete distraction in her class and wants anything done to fix it. He isn’t violent or abusive. In fact he is described as an “incredibly kind child,” but he can/will not stop talking. The fact is he tries to stop but he says that he just can’t. The same goes for the angry outbursts and the emotional meltdowns. Afterward he says that something comes over him and he can’t stop. So his teacher is excited to get him medicated as soon as possible. Won’t she be surprised if that just isn’t the solution.