That Challenging Kid Needs Help

It’s difficult to get a simultaneously conducted interdisciplinary assessment these days.

That is one where the child (and parents) meet with multiple professionals of various disciplines all of whom have some degree of cross-training and where those professionals then meet together to review their findings to arrive at an integrated understanding of the child’s strengths and issues.

These days many parents are lucky if their child sees one or more professionals over the course of months, if not longer.

Then the issue becomes gaps in terms of what has been left out and how or if the information is shared between professionals, let alone integrated.

There’s the story of the three blind men and the elephant.

Each examining a different part of the (trunk, body, tail), they arrive at a different description of the animal.

So too when trying to understand what may be at issue for a child showing difficulty when professionals aren’t coordinated and integrated.

Recently, working with parents regarding their child, I suspected some complexity to the issues contributing to their child’s difficulties.

As a result, the child has now been seen by an audiologist to determine if there is an auditory processing disorder; an ophthalmologist to check for visual/perceptual issues; and a psychologist for learning and attentional issues. The child as also been examined and tested by the physician for medical and attention issues.

Any finding of one, not accounted for by the other can still influence the findings of another’s assessment.

I have been addressing any contributory family issues and addressing what may be behavior management issues.

So far, I am the one most privy to the findings of all others. I am helping to share information and make sense of the findings and recommendations of the others. With that, there is somewhat of a case management role, shared and implemented by the parents.

Happily they also have support of the family doctor who did a bit of advocacy to shorten the reporting time of one of the professionals.

This situation is intensive and expensive and the cost is born by the family. They are privileged and thus can access the necessary services in a somewhat timely manner.

There used to be many more public services, well integrated to meet and address the more complex needs or issues of such kids.

Funding for such services has eroded greatly over the years and most so during the term of the current conservative government.

Public services are depleted and private services are flourishing for those who can afford it.

I do represent those doing well offering private services.

However, I advocate for public services.

I want all kids to have access to well integrated and timely services to address behavioral and development issues.

This child will be OK.

Why can’t all children.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

gary@yoursocialworker.com
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.