After a lot of deliberation, I think I'm going to take ds to Yale for a comprehensive eval and consult. I'm scared about what it's going to cost, but I think this is what we need to do at this point. It was suggested that we go to a psychiatrist for a second opinion, but I think a team of people is better. I'm going to call tomorrow for info.... Here's info on Yale: http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/

By Feona on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 01:02 pm:

Sounds great.

I know schneiders hospital is supposed to take all insurance.

I don't know if you have a children's hospital near you that has a development psychology department that takes your insurance. Just mentioning it because you said you were afraid of how much it is going to cost.

By Kaye on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 08:44 am:

Often if your child falls under a research catagory then you will get paid for taking him. I had my son evaluated through one of those studies. We had 6 different docs look at him, I felt like it was the most thourough thing we have done with him.

Yale obviously has a great reputation, I don't think you have anything to lose!

By Lauram on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 12:30 pm:

We're going. It's not that expensive after all. They are sending me the initial packet, which I need to return before they'll set up an appt.

By Cat on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 02:49 pm:

Good luck, Laura. Let us know when the appointment is. {{{{{Laura and family}}}}}

By Pamt on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 04:18 pm:

Sounds great! Let us know what they do and how it goes.

By Lauram on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 08:51 am:

Right now I am waiting for a "packet." They are going to ask for records from the pediatrician, neurologist, psychologist, school and me. Once they receive everything, they are going to call to schedule the appt. I'll let you know what happens after that. I'm very excited because it feels like I'm not "in charge" of all the info any more. It will be all synthesized. That's very exciting to me because it's very stressful reporting to everyone. Yale will then compile the infor and report back to everyone about their recommendation for treatment. It will be a team of six doctors (psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, pediatrician, social worker, and an educator- I believe). They will evaluate all the info, meet with us, meet with him, and then develop a treatment plan and consult with our providers. I really like the idea that it is a team approach. I am at the point where I realize that he needs a "team." No one discipline can handle it. I'm actually really excited because I was able to locate the neonatology report last night. I want that included, because I feel that's a big part of the severity of his issues.

By Kaye on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 10:15 am:

That sounds great!

just out of curoisty..what happened with he was born?

By Lauram on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 12:28 pm:

He had hyperbilirubinemia (severe pathological jaundice). He was hospitalized for the jaundice and dehydration, released 4 days later and then rehospitalized for 4 more days 1 ½ days later. His doctors feared he would have cognitive damage. It appears that he was in Phase I of kernicterus (brain damage from hyperbilirubinemia). When he spoke 12 words at 12 months, the doctors were shocked. At 3 1/2 is when his other issues began. He currently has dx's of Tourette's, ADHD, OCD, Generalized Anxiety disorder and Sensory integration. I have an email that I've put into the pile for Yale from an expert in kernicterus which states that more and more they are feeling these pathologies are connected to the bilirubin issue.