HamlandFamily.org

As a parent who needs help for your child, do not be afraid of hurting the feelings of healthcare professionals. Move on if you need to.

You can consult another doctor if you do not agree with one doctor’s opinion. I disagreed with our pediatrician’s approach and assessment and was shocked at our treatment when I asked for any referrals for mental health or youth specialists.

If you do not agree with your provider you can make an appointment with another doctor and you can call family services in your county to explore all your options.

Specialist Doctors have expertise in a specific area whereas family practice, pediatricians, and others have a more general approach. It’s nearly impossible to be an expert in everything about the complex human body and brain.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists specializing in caring for children have different expertise and use MORE DETAILED assessments and experience to inform diagnosis and care.

Testing and evaluations can vary day to day based on how a child is feeling, if they are tired, if they are hungry, if they are nervous, if the topic is boring, and on and on, but a specialist can wade through those circumstances.

County Family Services can help with referrals to specialists in the area as well as start enrollment for county services and programs like the Birth to 3 program.

Trust your instinct. Take a breath. Write down how you believe your child is struggling and the pain points in your day. Then pick up the phone and keep calling.

You will find a healthcare professional who “gets” your story, who will hear you clear as day.

If you are put on a waitlist for one doctor, call another doctor without cancelling your spot. We kept every appointment we were given because we wanted to know all of our options.

• Family Therapy and Behavior Therapy
• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Pediatrician, 2nd pediatrician
• Special Education with the School District

We applied for County and State programs while working our way through our health insurance providers. We wanted support as fast as we could get it through whichever avenue got their first.

And you know what? The contacts that I made in those connector offices were fierce parents who chose those jobs after their personal experiences in needing these same resources.

I call those key contacts our champions. Because that is what they are to me. Our champions. Jeanne’s champions. The people who answered the phone and put on their superhero capes.