What Can I Do? - Kingsport, TN

I think that if you are worried, keep looking and find another doctor. From what you've said (between the speech thing and the foot thing), I think that you don't have a very caring doctor. Even with TennCare, I have been welcome to take my daughter to the doctor with even the most minor of problems and they have always treated me and my daughter seriously. She didn't even say more than her first word until after her second birthday, and anything that she did say would be like ... she'd say it for a few days, then stop. She was saying nothing, and making no progress. The doctor's told me that that happens a lot, and that she would grow out of it. They also said that most likely, she just wasn't talking because she didn't need to or didn't want to. I made it clear that I wanted her evaluated at the very least, and that was it, they made an appointment and gave her a referral to a therapist. It turned out, she didn't talk because she didn't need to. I was (still am) a SAHM, and so i was with her all day. I knew what she wanted, and I would typically get it before she needed to ask.

All I had to do was wait for her to ask for things like drinks or snacks. I even taught her a few signs (for the words more, eat, drink, daddy, etc.) and that helped a little because I would encourage her to use them, but when I used them with her, I would also talk. So she thought they went together, and after a while she would sign and talk. Once she got to talking, I stopped signing to her, and eventually it phased itself out, and now she talks so much that some days, I'm sorry i got her started! LOL ... But I wish you the best of luck, and if you want some more tips on how to get him talking, just message me, I'd love to hear from you!

Well i know what your dealin with i have a 9 month old son and he was born 1 month early and i also have VHP.. The doc had early intervention to come out and check him out when he was i'm thinkin when he was 4 or 5 months old cause he didnt have any controle over his head and neck.. They said he was fine but all they done was look at him well now here he is 9 months old still cant sit up or crawl.. I said some thing to the doc and she said well they said he is ok well that was months ago and things are not getting any better he can bearly move his legs so i have got to find some one else to check him out.. He also has sleep app. so i know what your dealin with maybe we need too get together and get some thing done with the docs or some thing.. you can contact me at ____@____.com

well i have twin boys that will be 3 next month, they were born 13 weeks premature..they oldest twin would say a few words but nothing like a "normal" 2 year old" would...my boys have bluecare and they are still receiving speech to this day..just get in touch with me b/c their dr takes the bluecare as well and does what is best for them..so email if you wish at ____@____.com..

i can sympathize with you, my son did not talk until he was 3 and even then it was difficult to understand him. I took him to doctors and they told me that he would outgrow this problem as long as he was able to follow directions and understand everything we said to him (he had his own made up language). I had in speech therapy when he was three because he only had limited vocabulary, he could say maybe 10 words. They even tried to get him to learn sign language so they could try to communicate with him. Also when he was 2 he drove me nuts because he had this low pitch whining sound he made when he wanted something and often I never could figure it out. It must have been just as frustrating for him as it was for me. I had his tonsils and adnoids checked around the time he was 3 because he snored loudly and seemed to have difficulty breathing and while all the doctors they were large he would grow into them. That is while I had state insurance. When my husband and I got married (my son is from a previous disaster) and we got on his insurance, we took him to the doctor and he was floored that no other doctor would take out his tonsils and adnoids. The specialist he referred us to said he had never seen such huge tonsil and adnoids in a child that age and if was going to grow into them he would probably be about 13 or 14 before he did. Anyways, he removed them and Anthony's speech cleared right up and although he was considered special education and repeated kindergarten (he was 6 when they removed them) he has since caught up with his class and is no longer in speech therapy. Even his speech therapist noticed within a week after he returned to school from surgery that his speech had dramatically improved. While this may not be the problem with your son, I know I can sympathize as a mother, who only wants to hear her child say something to them. I cried the first time my son said "I love you" he was three. I have a daughter now who is 17 months and can say so many things now, I keep thinking back to when Anthony was that and little and never said a word, its amazing the differences in kids. But to say the least I would try to get the doctor to look at your son's tonsils and adnoids to see if this could be the problem as well, and if possible try a different doctor, even check out the health department. One thing I do know is sometimes it takes persistance with insurances. Feel free to email me if you want, to say the least I understand as a mother what you are going through. ____@____.com

first thing first get rid of the doctor. if he is lieing on paperwork he does not need to be a doctor. there are other doctors that take blue care. you might have to drive a little more but it would be worth it. second i would go ahead and see what i could do to get him some help. i am not sure where you are from but there are a lot of places in tn that help with this and even give free help. so i would check into some of these things. I think what you look for is a child find coordinator,they try to find and help families who children have speech and or learning delays. for ages 2 1/2 to 5. I believe it is like a day care thing they go to and get the extra help they need so they have a better chance of being on the same level when school starts. I know the name and number of the person for the sullivan county, TN area, if you are in that area and need it let me know and i can get it for you.

TEIS
1-800-852-7157

My son had hearing problems due to fluid in his ear and was almost two years old before we found this out. I kept getting comments from friends and family about why is he 2 years old and not talking. I took him to an ear doctor and they did a hearing test and confirmed that he could barely hear due to the fluid. TEIS worked wonders for him, the speech therapist will come to your home twice a week to do the therapy.(in my case, it was the babysitter's home because i was working) And it costs nothing, the case worker always told me "these are your tax dollars at work". To meet my son now, you'd never imagine he EVER had a speech problem. He talks more proper than most adults I know and does well in school.

T.,

Have you tried switching to a different pediatrician in the next town. It of course will be out of your way but if you can get on with another doctor this would help. Also, try going through TEAM, TIPS, or TEIS. They might have an answer for a way around this. I have copied some information from my surrounding areas. If you live a distance away from me I would still call these because they might know of resources in your area...

TEIS
1-800-852-7157

SIGNAL CENTER
690 Old Chattanooga Pike
P.O. Box 214
Cleveland, TN 37364-0214
###-###-####
The Signal Center serves preschool children up to six years old who have mental and/or physical development delays. The center offers a program of individualized learning activities and specialized on-site therapies.

TEAM CENTERS INC.
600 North Holtzclaw Ave., Suite 100
Chattanooga, TN 37404-1220
###-###-####
TEAM Centers helps children and adults who have handicaps, developmental challenges, or are at-risk, maximize their potential by providing diagnostic, referral and follow-up service. The Family Support Program improves the quality of the lives of families who have a member with a severe disability by providing funding for respite, medical equipment and supplies, etc., that they need to reside in their natural home.

Also, I would report the doctor to your insurance carrier and any other authority. If it is a practice that has more than one doctor try to make an appointment with another one and see if they will help you. I hope this helps you.

S. E.

I cant believe the people who come to see him have not refered him some where, my son went threw the same thing and u really need to go to someone else or contact the people that evaluated him to see what they r doing,,, i also have tenncare and i no u can change but i think u can only change every 2 years ,, but my son is no 5 and is still geting thrapy ,, and he was at the age of 2 when he started.. keep me informed and if u have anymore ?? or need anymore help please contact ____@____.com..... I no alot about this both of my youngest ones are hearing imparied

T.
I would call Bill Wilkerson Center for help. They specialize in speech and hearing. Tell them your situation and Im sure they will help. It is located in Nashville close to down town. Good luck and I would report your doctor to the medical board and your insurance company for fraud on your paper.

if you are tring to get your child in early intervention you should call you local school district. In Most states your doctor will have nothing to do with your child getting speech therapy from your local school district. My son had the same problem (he is 4 now) we went right to the local school district they did not need anything from the doctor except that he could recieve help if your doctor refuses you need to call an Lawyer.