Re: New Pediatrician (sorry long)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It sounds like your son has definite sensory integration issues (ice cream and

similar food being too cold and mashed potatoes not going down but french fries

do are what makes me think this). Hot dogs, anything with toast, french fries,

and chicken nuggets (depending on what they're breaded with) all have somewhat

of a crunchy or chewy texture, so are very different in the mouth than mashed

potatoes (or applesauce, which I also suspect he won't/can't eat).

I don't know how big the library is in your town, but if they don't have the

book " The Out-of-Sync Child, " ask them to get it for you inter-library loan.

(The Out of Sync in the title refers to how the child functions relative to the

rest of the world, not whether or not they are coordinated, etc.). There is a

companion book " The Out of Sync Child Has Fun, " that has lists of activities to

work on various sensory issues.

Regarding what to discuss with the pediatrician, I would start with the

nutrition, especially if your son is indeed stooped. I can't tell from what you

said about over the counter vitamin and mineral supplements how much calcium he

has been getting, but that is the first place to start. Fortunately, there are

chewable calcium supplements, some of which have magnesium or vitamin D in them

also (needed to metabolize the calcium).

Then again, there is nothing to say you can't bring up both issues (the

nutrition and the language) at the same appointment. However, it sounds like the

former is the one that needs to be addressed first. Chances are, the

pediatrician will not be familiar with sensory integration issues, so depending

on what foods he recommends, you may have to explain that your son CANNOT

tolerate smooth textures or cold things (not " WON'T EAT " as a will thing, as it

is indeed something he cannot do at this point). I don't know if there is any

way you can get a referral (either at this appointment or the next one) to an

occupational therapist (make sure he/she is certified in sensory integration

issues) to help with feeding issues. Then again, I believe many speech

therapists also do feeding-type work, so that might be the way to go, also.

(Again, check for sensory integration training, as if they think it's just weak

muscles etc., there's no way the program will work.) Another issue here

is that I do not believe most insurance plans pay for sensory integration

sessions with OT " s, but only with things like recovery from hand injuries and

the like.

Hope this helps.

<teddi3@...> wrote: Hi all,

I am going to be taking my son to a " real " pediatrician (after

several years with an internist, no ped available) on the 10th. This

pediatrician is very eager to meet my son, especially in view of the

progress I mentioned when inquiring if he was taking new patients.

Other than OTC vitamin/mineral supplements Max has not taken any

extra supplement, and now is the time to start putting some weight on

his bones. I am truly concerned about his nutrition and need to know

how to approach the new doctor regarding Max' diet. Max is extremely

picky, usually eats only hotdogs, chicken nuggets, or peanut-butter

toast, sometimes cereal (froot loops or cocoa puffs). Don't think

I'm a bad mom, he does not have a gluten or corn problem, bm's are

fine, he is just very, very picky, and will throw up if I feed him

something he doesn't like (like mashed potatoes, altho he eats french

fries). The only vegie he likes is green beans. He won't eat

chocolate, candy or lollipops; he won't eat ice cream (too cold?).

Yesterday I noticed when he stands he looks hunched over, like an old

woman with osteoporosis, and his little shoulder blades were just

sticking out something awful...this was a " normal " posture for him.

So, what should I start with when we visit the new doctor? His

language comprehension problems or the nutrition?

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much ! He did go to an occupational therapist years ago, but

she was working on his clothing issues, and he only went for a few weeks

(all our insurance would pay for). He will actually throw up if he eats

mashed potatoes. I'll check the library for the book, it may be a big help.

We had been using regular Children's Chewables and recently switched to

Kanga Vites; I'm going to change back, the Children's Chewables have more

percentages of vitamins and minerals per tablet. I am going to bring up

chelation and " feel " out this doctor; Max's language comprehension issues

are the last big hurdle we have (other than the weight/height problem). He

has come from a definate PDD-NOS child to a near-normal boy...no more " not "

feeling pain/cold (you can't imagine the times I caught him outside in the

snow in his underwear and bare feet, or found a cut or scrape that he never

cried about), he gives hugs spontaneously, talks a blue streak, wears jeans

and other " rough " clothes, looks people in the eye, no longer throws

tantrums if a routine is changed, plays well with others and shares

willingly, just tremendous progress. I think we are past the recent

tantrums (the mercury must have leached out of his system from the flu shot

back in mid-October); and I'm looking forward to working with a real

pediatrician!