I had intended my next post to be about some of the activities we have been doing with Lochlan in the last few weeks but I will have to save that for another post because right now, I am in the mood to rant.
So when we visited the Child Study Center in early June, our developmental pediatrician referred us to their Psychology Dept for a full autism diagnostic test (called the ADOS). The doctor said that Psychology would call us to schedule the testing but that if we don't hear in 3-5 days, we should call her office back to schedule the testing. [weird statement- basically saying the ball is in their court but acknowledging that they will probably drop the ball and it will be my move anyway?]
Ok. So a full week later, I tried calling her office. No answer, a message service picks up.
I try again that same day, later in the afternoon, no answer. Same message service on the nurse's line.
I try again the next day. No answer.
The third day, I left a message. Their message service recording says someone will call you back within 48 hours.
No one ever called me back.
My frustration has been mounting and mounting. I want to get an appointment in with these people for his testing because who knows how long the wait list is. We had to wait almost 5 months just to see the developmental pediatrician! (But maybe we are lucky. I've read that in other parts of the country, people have to wait a whole year to see a developmental pediatrician. Why aren't more people going into this specialty?? With the rate of autism rising to epidemic levels, you would think there should be more medical personnel available to serve these populations..)
Anyway, a few days ago, I found a different office number for Child Study and tried that. No answer.
I decided to bypass her office since apparently no one ever answers the phone for patients. Just now, I went to the Child Study website to find the number for the Psychology department. Finally, I got someone on the phone. I explained that I was trying to schedule the testing. But get this, the person I spoke to told me that the lady who does all the scheduling for Psychology has gone home for the day. (AT 3:00 ON A MONDAY). Would I like to leave her a message?
Yes, yes I did leave a message. I politely explained what my purpose of calling was and asked her to call me back tomorrow
Keep your fingers crossed that I make contact with the right person.
But honestly, it shouldn't be this hard to schedule testing for your kid. Parenting a special needs kid is hard enough without having to jump through hoops. I think this whole experience has been absolutely ridiculous. Why is it ok for a whole department to never answer their phone or return messages or for employees to keep random hours?
Sorry for the long vent. I had a grueling art class with Lochlan this morning. He ate paint. I'll save that for another post.
So when we visited the Child Study Center in early June, our developmental pediatrician referred us to their Psychology Dept for a full autism diagnostic test (called the ADOS). The doctor said that Psychology would call us to schedule the testing but that if we don't hear in 3-5 days, we should call her office back to schedule the testing. [weird statement- basically saying the ball is in their court but acknowledging that they will probably drop the ball and it will be my move anyway?]
Ok. So a full week later, I tried calling her office. No answer, a message service picks up.
I try again that same day, later in the afternoon, no answer. Same message service on the nurse's line.
I try again the next day. No answer.
The third day, I left a message. Their message service recording says someone will call you back within 48 hours.
No one ever called me back.
My frustration has been mounting and mounting. I want to get an appointment in with these people for his testing because who knows how long the wait list is. We had to wait almost 5 months just to see the developmental pediatrician! (But maybe we are lucky. I've read that in other parts of the country, people have to wait a whole year to see a developmental pediatrician. Why aren't more people going into this specialty?? With the rate of autism rising to epidemic levels, you would think there should be more medical personnel available to serve these populations..)
Anyway, a few days ago, I found a different office number for Child Study and tried that. No answer.
I decided to bypass her office since apparently no one ever answers the phone for patients. Just now, I went to the Child Study website to find the number for the Psychology department. Finally, I got someone on the phone. I explained that I was trying to schedule the testing. But get this, the person I spoke to told me that the lady who does all the scheduling for Psychology has gone home for the day. (AT 3:00 ON A MONDAY). Would I like to leave her a message?
Yes, yes I did leave a message. I politely explained what my purpose of calling was and asked her to call me back tomorrow
Keep your fingers crossed that I make contact with the right person.
But honestly, it shouldn't be this hard to schedule testing for your kid. Parenting a special needs kid is hard enough without having to jump through hoops. I think this whole experience has been absolutely ridiculous. Why is it ok for a whole department to never answer their phone or return messages or for employees to keep random hours?
Sorry for the long vent. I had a grueling art class with Lochlan this morning. He ate paint. I'll save that for another post.
Health care hoops are unbelievable in this country. Ugh. Hoping you get a call back soon!
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