How to explain doctor's visits to child?
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| Wed, 07-05-2006 - 12:50am |
What do I say? I don't want to tell my 5 year old his behaviour is odd and it's freakin' me out! ;)
Seriously, do I say we are just going chat with the doctor, he may ask you some questions, etc. But, how do we tell why we are going? I don't want him to think he's ill. We've had family and pets go to the doctor and die soon after. It's easier if he has the flu, because well, you have to go because you've had the flu for a month and it just won't go away. Last year for a month he had a high fever, vomitting, etc for a couple of days and get better only to have it come back a week later. This went on for weeks so we took him in, the doctor looked him over, said it was a virus reinfecting him and he should recover with time. He was told he was just fine and there was a conclusion with one visit. It's pretty easy to explain why in this sort of situation.

Will he ask? I don't think Mike asked at that age. He asks me now what kind of doctor it is so he knows what to expect (talking doctor, etc). He knows about his diagnosis now too but I am not sure he relates those doctors visits to his ASD. They both been going to different specialists for so long I think they think it is a normal thing to do.
I would just tell him it is a check up with a talking doctor. You don't really have to tell him all of why you are going. I doubt he is ready fro that much info at his age. My kids honestly have not questioned it. Cait did on the last trip to the neuro because of a seizure. She is 12. He may need to know exactly what to expect at the doctor such this is a visit without shots, he will get to stay dressed, etc. It is just to talk for a bit.
If you don't want to talk about your concerns infront of him with the doctor you could type them up and give them to the doctor. I would try to keep it brief and organized though. Less than a page. So that it isn't that hard for them to read over.
Renee
When Peter was that age we kind of lied.
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Dear Paula.
HA! We kinda used that one, too, well, we called her a talking doctor and we were having him meet with her so she could see how was the best way to teach him and which school would be best for him, ie. which school taught the way he learns. And he already knows he is VERY smart...
Anyways, funny moment, he finshed 4 days of testing with the neuropsych, lovely woman who he liked on sight. He looked right at her and said "Well? Which school am I going to?!"
Sara