Need help on getting assessment

[mummydoit]

My sister is struggling with her 7 year old DD's behaviour. She behaves okay at school but at home has temper tantrums, disobeys and answers back. She's described by her teacher as 'average' but my sister thinks she struggles with reading (reads things backwards sometimes), PE and drawing. She's very clumsy. We had DS1 assessed for dyspraxia and some of the things my sister was describing sounded a lot like dyspraxia. The reading problem rings alarm bells for dyslexia. The behaviour problems may well just be that my sister needs to improve her parenting skills but I think DD needs to be assessed to make sure she doesn't have some sort of developmental problem. Sister has approached her GP with her concerns (saying she can't handle her DD and needs help before she 'loses it') but the GP wasn't interested and fobbed her off.

Sister is a single parent and dealing with this on her own. I think she needs help, either diagnosing a developmental problem or, if there isn't one, tackling her DD's behaviour in some other way. Does anyone know how to go about getting a referral for an assessment with a Child Development Centre if the GP is unwilling to refer. I've suggested that she print off a list of dyspraxia symptoms, tick the ones that apply to her DD and go back to the GP with that. That's what I did with DS1 and we were referred with no problem. However, if the GP still refuses to help, what can she do?

Sorry this is so long and thanks to anyone who can offer any advice.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I would see another GP in the practice if there is one and if a referral is still refused change GP surgeries.

Your suggestion re printing off a list of her difficulties is a good one; I would certainly try that with the GP.

A GP should refer to a CDC as a matter of course; your sister needs to see a developmental paediatrician regarding her daughter.

Hopefully others will come up with helpful, if not better, suggestions.

[mummydoit]

Attila, it's a two GP practice and the two are married so I'm not sure if one would back up the other's decision. I'd certainly recommend changing GPs. I saw this one once and disliked her intensely. Plus she divulged confidential information to my mother about my niece without my sister's permission. Thanks for the correct terminology, though. My sister will now know to ask for a developmental paediatrician specifically, rather than just 'some help'. I wonder if it's possible to see on privately if she has no luck via the GP?

[mummydoit]

Bump

[mummydoit]

Bump. Really could do with some advice.

[sallysparrow]

She could see if there is a local private physio or OT who treats children - their professional bodies usually hold registers of therapists who specialise.

[Tiggiwinkle]

I would second Attila's suggestion to change GPs if they continue to refuse to refer-she has a right to an assessment. Gps do not have the expertise to say whether a child has dyspraxia or not, so have no right to refuse to refer to an expert who can do so. (Several of my DSs have dyspraxia as a co-morbid with Aspergers.)

[mummydoit]

I think I'm going to encourage her to do that. Her DD definitely has several of the symptoms. It needs to be looked into.

[twocutedarlings]

Hi,

Not sure if im right here or not, but i always thought that GPs have to refer you if you ask to be. ??

[mummydoit]

If that is the case, then this one is definitely not doing her job. My sister asked for help as she is struggling to cope and was told she didn't need it. However, I'm not sure she specifically asked for a referral so I'll tell her to go back and do so.

[magso]

It might be worth phoning the school nurse to see what help is available whilst you sort out the GP and assessment. Ours can make recommendations to the gp and told me who to ring when I was getting no where!

[sallysparrow]

Whether or not the GP thinks its dyspraxia (and they cant make the diagnosis) they ought to refer on when a parent is that concerned.

I suggested self referring to a private therapist because if the GP is holding things up, it would be one way of getting an assessment and ideas for help quickly, although it would not be a medical diagnosis.

[mummydoit]

Private therapist and school nurse are both excellent suggestions. I will pass them on to my sister. Thank you for the advice!

[flyingmum]

Is it worth going along with your sister to another appointment with a GP. Sometimes its very easy to play things down or be vague and if you have another person there they can prompt you or just support. Given that your child has a dyspraxic diagnosis you are more 'up' on the lingo so might also be able to put your oar in as well.

Could your sister keep a behaviour log for three or four days to give her evidence for her worries and/or spot flare ups and areas of conflict which might be solveable.

All the best.