Monday, March 9, 2009

Label

B is starting a new daycare Monday, the 16th.

In order to do so, we had to have our pediatrician fill out the general health appraisal form.

The doc just faxed it to me and I feel like crying.

Physical exam: __ Normal _x_Abnormal
Specify any physical abnormalities: Vater Syndrome

Significant health concerns: Developmental delays

I hate the word abnormal.

But I suppose technically, that's the case, right? I just fucking hate hate hate hate that word.

And developmental delays? Where? What? How? No one has EVER mentioned this to me. The pediatrician said last time we were there that Brody didn't need speech therapy, and that he might need ot/pt once his thumbs are in place. Does that equal developmentally delayed? I just don't get it.

I don't want my baby to be labeled.

Not abnormal physical presentation with developmental delays. The former I acknowledge grudgingly as probably medically accurate. The second one I completely disagree with him.

It's just a stupid little state form that he has to fill out. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it.

I'm calling them back and asking them to make another form, or asking for an explanation.

I have to wait an hour because (1) the office is closed for the lunch hour and (2) I couldn't do it right now without crying.

I'm thinking we are going to have to write a letter like this for next Monday. What do you think? Too much?

Edited to add: I just called B's erstwhile day care teacher, and asked her to be honest with me. I told her the situation, and she was adamant that B is not delayed in any way. She said he talks better than most of the kids in his class, pick things up better than most of the kids, his vocabulary is outstanding, he uses utensils better than most of the kids in his class, knows his colors and numbers. . . I made it through the voicemail left at the ped's office, but did start to cry with B's teacher.

So now I wait to hear from the pediatrician.

And I've started to write a letter like the one above, so if anyone thinks it's a bad idea, you'd better tell me immediately.

4 comments:

Dawn said...

I'd be upset too! I would especially be upset about the developmentally delayed. I know doctors are VERY quick to check that off on many kids. However, since your doctor has never mentioned this to you, I'd be pissed, and questioning what they are talking about.
I also think the "abnormal" checkmark is ridiculous. Is this a form that the daycare sends, or is it your doctor's? I do NOT think there should be a choice between normal vs abnormal. There could be a section for medical history or medical diagnosis, but to have normal/abnormal seems stupid and like 50 years in the past. Time for someone to get a new form!!

Sorry! ((((Chris)))

Lolita Breckenridge said...

Thanks, Dawn. I just looked at the form. It was approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics in April 2007. Shocking even to me. xo

Unknown said...

Oh, that is bullshit. Brody is perfect just the way he is. There's nothing "abnormal" about him!

Jacque said...

What a terrible form. It's amazing how professionals stress not to label children, yet there is a form that can label them with a mere checkmark.