That dr was very rude, what you needed to ask for is an EPC (enhanced primary care) plan. As Feeb mentioned, you then get 5 sessions at nominated specialists, this can be at a reduced rate or some are free.
i had one for my DS. 1 session was for audiology (free) and 4 went on speech (reduced rate). I also had one for DD1 and used 5 on OT (reduced rate per session)
Copied from the Department of Health and Ageing...
Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) care planning items were removed from the Medicare Benefits Schedule in 2005 and replaced by the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items (721 -732). The term 'EPC plan' is now obsolete.
Are you referring to the 'Better Access' Initiative? Not sure if its the same thing you are talking about or it's different. But if you google that you should get some helpful info.
Yes, a GP does need to make some sort of diagnosis for the referral (out daughter's is Separation Anxiety) so that may be perhaps tricky for your little one just yet. However definitely get all your courage together and grab DH and go and see another GP. It can be very overwhelming speaking about this sort of stuff with a GP and trying to explain everything to them, but hopefully you can find a good understanding doctor (they do exist but can be rare to find!) somewhere.
All the best.
Are you referring to the 'Better Access' Initiative? Not sure if its the same thing you are talking about or it's different. But if you google that you should get some helpful info.
Yes, a GP does need to make some sort of diagnosis for the referral (out daughter's is Separation Anxiety) so that may be perhaps tricky for your little one just yet. However definitely get all your courage together and grab DH and go and see another GP. It can be very overwhelming speaking about this sort of stuff with a GP and trying to explain everything to them, but hopefully you can find a good understanding doctor (they do exist but can be rare to find!) somewhere.
All the best.
I have been on the diagnosis rollercoaster for years with ds, so I can sympathise. Some medical professionals just have no idea and can be REALLY insensitive. I would suggest you keep at it and move GPs if necessary. An EPC referral doesn't mean the GP has to sell their soul or make a diagnosis in the truest sense (like ASD for example). They really can say that the patient has "fine motor difficulties" or "possible sensory issues" or something like that. I have used EPCs for the past 3 years for ds and have had different GPs write them (one didn't even request to see him!). All I can say is just keep going - early intervention is absolutely everything! Shades I will PM you - can you clear out your inbox?
We ended up seeing a second GP, who was at least a little more sensitive than the first! He still didn't see anything wrong with DS (be amuse he has such great language skills and prefers adult company, so of course was chatty and happy at the dr's!). He said we just have to 'tough out' the sleep issues, that all kids develop differently and have different strengths and weaknesses and that there int anything we can do about his anxieties (he'll grow out of them). But, he I'd say it all very nicely at least
So we went off to the OT in Friday and paid out of our own pocket. What an eye opening experience. Yes, DS does have sensory processing issues, and yes, she can help with strategies so that we can help him cope better (and he can learn to cope better as he gets older). So glad we went, and although it's quite expensive, we feel its well worth it at this stage. We got a little back through PHI too.
*As an aside, DS let DH wash his hair tonight (water only) for the first time in three months! And he went down a slippery slide today with no one holding his hand or needing to talk him through it! These are huge things for DS
I've just come across this thread. Urgh ... some GPs are painful, in the extreme. My GP is bemused by SPD - she reckons nearly all kids have some SPD issues, it's "just a phase" that so many are being diagnosed. Nonetheless, she helped us with a referral. My DS2 has SPD. Short story is since he was approx 18 months his behaviour at home is extremely challenging. Meltdowns and tanties when he gets frustrated, can't make something "work" to his specifications etc. You can't ask him to do one single thing without it escalating into a drama. But he's a bloomin' angel at daycare - they (quote) wish all kids were like him!! And I'm not a pushover parent, so I know I'm not 100pc to blame, lol.
Anyway, the upshot is I went to my GP and explained this to her - I wanted a referral to an OT to get to the bottom of whatever was going on. She worked out a mental health plan for DS2 under the umbrella of sensory processing disorder. It gave us 10 Mediare rebatable sessions with an OT. Subsequent to that, we've since been able to access an EPA ... EPC, sorry I forget the exact title of it. It gives us a further 5 sessions of Medicare-rebatable OT sessions. He had to be assessed by the nurse at my GP's clinic in order to get the additional sessions/plan.
OTs are so expensive - I had no idea until we started going. And we've found that with DS2, it's not just a matter of a few sessions and that's it. It's at least a fortnightly (give or take) appointment, plus follow up at home. DS2 is starting to improve - his issues affect his problem solving ability (hence, meltdowns when he can't fix/do something), plus we're getting help with his rather fast engine speed - how to slow it down so he'll listen to us etc. It's all an eye opener, so hopefully you get lots out of it. But re: the mental health plan, there's no reason in the wide world that a GP shouldn't sign you up to one (in my opinion, anyway).
AndiE - I tend to agree...yes, most kids (and adults) can have SPD tendencies, but then, most people have one or more indicators of ASD, ADD and any number of other issues. Not all kids have trouble functioning in their environment though, and that's why I asked for help!
At the moment, we can afford some OT sessions, but this may change in the future. In which case I'll push for some Medicare funded sessions.
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