My 5 year old son had an appointment with his place therapist today. It was his third time going. I'm a little upset she seemed very annoyed and had a attitude. I asked her if she thought that he had some sensory stuff going on along with the ADHD, and she Shrugged her shoulders and said maybe. Then she went on to tell me that I needed to work on his personal space issues, and I needed to work on the fact that he dumps toys out and doesn't pick up after himself. Then she went on and told me when I was having trouble getting him to listen to me that he has behavioral problems. First of all I don't think ADHD is a behavioral problem. Secondly I thought that's why I was bringing him to therapy so she could help us with his issues. Am I overreacting being upset or would someone else be upset also?
Oh and I told her that I was bringing him to a neurologist to get evaluated and she was very offended.
I'm thinking it's time to move on I don't think she is a good fit.
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Pattiann1981
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Oh I'm right with you. She does not sound like a good fit at all! That's exactly why you're going to therapy. I would also be searching for someone else!
Yikes! I think your heart was in the right place with your response, but you just broadswept all LCSW's into a "lowest level on the totem pole" category with a single comment. Just so you know, Licensed Clinical Social workers are some of the most trained, (overly) educated and caring bunch of humanists and activists I've ever known. They are required to have more supervisor training and clinical hours than most others in order to be insurance reimbursable and can be brilliant clinicians. The also have Masters degrees and many have years of post graduate education as well. This play therapist might be bad at her job, might have had a bad day, who knows... but the idea that she is "just a LCSW" is offensive and it is just as likely she is a psychologist as anything else.
Sorry I meant to do no harm. Sometimes what I mean to say write come differently. Basically that therapists had no right to act as she did. According to what read she wasn't acting very professional lichens of not. Educated to the max or not. Bad day or not I don't know and working with young children maynit be ger thing. Its nit eady working with children in the first place, working with children with intellectual problem adds another level if complications to that equation.
And if your are bit the LCSW in the office that day or the family who had they experience don't comment on my words, cause you know no more then me.
I understand. I have an LCSW and a post doctoral degree in psychoanalysis, and the LCSW's I know are truly professional and dedicated. I just get a bit touchy at times because social worker's are often misunderstood to be "caseworkers" or counselors, which they are not. LCSW's are required to go through years of post graduate supervision and education and testing. I agree with you that this therapist was not behaving in a professional manner and is not a good fit. I also agree we have no idea what her degree or credentialing involves. No worries!
Well first of all I hope she wasn't saying this on front of your son! Second if she shrugged her shoulders and act like she didn't know, she's not a good fit.
I had to switch neurologist because he was the same way. He spoke like my son wasn't in the room. I finally have one who is compassionate and supportive!
Walk away. She is not qualified. ADHD has behavioral symptoms for many or maybe most but is not a behavioral Dx. A child with ADHD lags three to five years developmentally so a five-year-old dumping toys are not picking them up is expected.
This is very hard and takes time. Often with ADHD, there are other challenges going on. I have 12-year old boy/girl twins, both w/ADHD and both with sensory. However, each issue is manifested differently in each of them and to a different degree. Both are "gifted". My son also has anxiety and a little OCD and perfectionism. (My daughter has some defiance.) (Oh so much fun -- and hormones are kicking in!)
Your son's needs are not being met and it is causing you to be defensive. Move on. Time is wasting. If you are looking for advice, I would get a good pediatric neurodevelopmentalist. He/she can recommend treatment plan. My son is (now on depression/anxiety medication - same drug works for 2 indications and we just upped the dose. I think he needs ADHD med but we're taking it one day at a time). He also sees a psychologist once a week and has a psychiatrist primarily for medication Rx. He also has a counseling program in school. Managing all of this truly takes a village of highly skilled, educated and caring individuals. Trust your instincts. You are doing what you can do; it's up to the therapist to do her part. And, I don't know what a "play" therapist does -- it should be one component of therapy, not the only thing. Either way, she doesn't seem professional and educated in understanding our type of kids. I know it isn't easy because it takes time to find the right fit but I'd MOVE ON.
I had a similar situation through early intervention years ago. I asked to change teachers and was advised to give her time ( that’s when I let other “professionals” tell me what to do way too much!)
After six months I followed my gut and demanded a change, which made a huge difference! I realized I should have trusted my instincts right from the start!
Yes I to am sorry, I get a but touchy when it feels like I was being attacked for commenting on something when I have no personal experience with the situation.
I'm on thus sight to understand my grandson, but I've been reading a lit if horror stories if things that could happen to us but, we haven't hit that milestone get. Hope we never Do!!!!☺
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