OT recommendation and expectations

[Anonymous]

my daughter has a diagnosis from a neurologist (essential tremor) and the severity is expected to progress. I saw the OT today and they charged nearly $200 (likely not covered by insurance) to go over her medical history and then confirm she does indeed have a tremor. I'm frustrated because my daughter had an emd, an eeg, and an MRI plus a diagnosis from the neurologist. Yet the OT used the whole appointment to re diagnose her. The DR stated she cannot improve but she could benefit from OT to learn adaptations. But today we didn't get even one tip, and I felt we were being sold extra services (feeding therapy, etc). Is this how all practices are? Does anyone have a rec for a great OT? She wasn't even specific on about how many appointments... is this normal? When I compare how the OT exam went vs the neuro exam it was a lot less thorough (she didn't look for nystagmus or midline coordination, for example).

I guess I am frustrated because we must wait three weeks for another appointment, didn't get anything out of this one, and my daughter can't even feed herself. I'd like to change practices but if my expectations are unrealistic or this is how they all are I should probably stick this one out in the hope they can help her and also get recommendations for how she can do kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Moco Movement is not in any network, but will submit claims for you and accept out of network payments. I found them pretty easy to work with. They didn't redo any assessments, although we did aleady have an OT assessment from Children's Hospital and the school district.

We just gave Moco Movement reports we already had and they took it from there. They are also good with specific requests like teacher my child to tie her shoes and so on.

You could also try Susan Tieche's group at ITS-DTS.

[Anonymous]

ITS-DTS is a sensory practice. I would look for an OT affiliated with a hospital. You can go over your insurance listings to find an in network OT, you can petition to get in network rates because there are no pediatric OTs within a 25 mile radius (or whatever), if you are in MD and she was born with it you can protest on habilitative grounds.

[Anonymous]

Are you in MoCo, NOVA, or DC?

[Anonymous]

If you are in MD or DC, try Colleen Doyle at Together in Movement. She's great and takes insurance.

[Anonymous]

I would interview OTs to see if they have experience with children with tremors. It's my impression that many of the local pediatric OT clinics focus on kids with ASD and ADHD and dyspraxia, and "sensory" issues, not actual neurological conditions that affect movement to such a degree. It seems like a hospital-based program might be better.

[Anonymous]

Many OT's are like that. We dropped OT as I was looking for practical skills and they did a bunch of OT nonsense. I agree with interviewing and making it clear you are looking for skill specific OT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in MD or DC, try Colleen Doyle at Together in Movement. She's great and takes insurance.

+1. She's awesome.

[Anonymous]

OP, not sure where you are, but if Rockville or Silver Spring are convenient for you we have been very happy with the Pediatric Development Center. Zero upselling of services and they take insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my daughter has a diagnosis from a neurologist (essential tremor) and the severity is expected to progress. I saw the OT today and they charged nearly $200 (likely not covered by insurance) to go over her medical history and then confirm she does indeed have a tremor. I'm frustrated because my daughter had an emd, an eeg, and an MRI plus a diagnosis from the neurologist. Yet the OT used the whole appointment to re diagnose her. The DR stated she cannot improve but she could benefit from OT to learn adaptations. But today we didn't get even one tip, and I felt we were being sold extra services (feeding therapy, etc). Is this how all practices are? Does anyone have a rec for a great OT? She wasn't even specific on about how many appointments... is this normal? When I compare how the OT exam went vs the neuro exam it was a lot less thorough (she didn't look for nystagmus or midline coordination, for example).

I guess I am frustrated because we must wait three weeks for another appointment, didn't get anything out of this one, and my daughter can't even feed herself. I'd like to change practices but if my expectations are unrealistic or this is how they all are I should probably stick this one out in the hope they can help her and also get recommendations for how she can do kindergarten.

OP, I would stick it out with this OT for a while. Most of them require comprehensive evaluations at the start.