The Cast
The Child: Cute as a Button. Runs around the office pulling all the duckies off the shelves, opening every drawer to find what’s in it, and screaming when she doesn't get her way
The Doctor: An eccentric geneticist. A self-defined “quake” who
has decorated her entire office in duckies to accentuate the point. She arrives
to see the patient with a basket-full of goodies, which rival Mary Poppins bag. Writes every detail of question and answer
session with mom, as well as medical information obtained, and observation of
the child.
The Mom: Presents a calm astute persona while stress and
turmoil are boiling up under the skin. Sings, "Put on a Happy Face" under her breath.
Props:
The Book: Thicker than the Bible, with descriptions and characteristics of every genetically diagnosis, except Fetal Valproate Syndrome
Doctor's Goodie Bag
Stethoscope - First time it hasn't taken 2 nurses to hold the child down when listening to her heart
Reflex Hammer - the child laughed when the doctor told her the giraffe wanted to "kiss her knees"
Stickers- to make child very,very happy
Script:
Dr (to Child): Lets see your fingers. Can I tickle your
toes? (to Mom) Yep – Fetal Valproate Syndrome, see how long they are
and how they overlap?
Dr: Is she always this active?
Mom: Mostly
Dr: She will most likely be labeled ADHD, but I’m not ready
to make that diagnosis yet. There’s nothing you can do about it at this stage
of life anyway.
Mom thinking: She’s
two – that’s normal – she is NOT HYPER.
Mom (to child): Let’s put your shoes on.
Child: Nooooooooooooooooo! (throws huge fit)
Dr: She most likely has sensory integration issues.
Mom: What can we do about it?
Dr: Nothing. Next year at your appointment I can recommend her
to a behavioral specialist. But we can’t do that until she is 3.
Dr: What’s this under her chin?
Mom: A birthmark. It has changed some since she was born. It
now has texture as well as color.
Dr: I believe it’s nevus sebaceous. It’s nothing to worry
about, but it should be removed. I’ll give you the name of a pediatric
dermatologist.
Mom thinks: just what
she needs another specialist, and another surgery.
Dr: Lets look it up in the Big Black Book. Fetal Valproate
Syndrome. See here are pictures of kids who look just like her: eyes too wide
apart, forehead too large, upper lip too thin.
Mom thinks: A syndrome
which creates beautiful children
Dr: Just what I thought. Nothing in here. Nothing about
possible behavior effects. Nothing about related medical effects. Nothing about
learning challenges. The syndrome is too new. That’s why I write everything
down. Someday the information I compile about this child will be compared with
the information other geneticists write down about other children, and they
will be added to this here book.
Mom thinks: Good thing
future children will benefit from my child’s behavior problems.
Dr: With my recommendation, she should qualify to go to
preschool next year.
Mom: I’ve homeschooled my other kids. I plan to homeschool
her as well, unless there are resources available that she needs and I can’t
provide for her.
Dr (contemplates for a minute before responding): I think
the best thing for this child would be to be homeschooled while receiving
private therapy. Most teachers are trained and able to handle academic challenges
in children, but not as well trained in dealing with behavioral problem. This
child will benefit most from having one on one attention and using behavior
modification Technics. You are doing the right thing.
Mom thinks: Wow – this
is the first time I’ve heard a doctor say this. This makes me feel good. I like
this doctor.
Dr: She looks good and healthy, and we’ll deal with the behavioral
problems in the future. See you next year.
Mom thinks: I hate the
term “behavioral problems.” When referring to “unreasonable phobias” “night
terrors” “sensory issues” and “overly-active” (notice I didn’t say “hyperactive”) -shouldn't there be a term other then “behavioral problems?” Something, kinder,
gentler – something that doesn't make my child sound like “Chucky” and me sound
like I have the parenting skills of Casey Anthony.
