Eye Doctor Vent

[Dad2Brooke]

Brooke is being tested in preparation for an IEP. The decision whether to do on is next Wednesday.

Anyway, the school nurse tested her vision a couple of weeks ago, and it was pretty bad. Shock to us, as her regular eye doctor visits turned up nothing.

Wanting to get it checked out (and not wanting the school to be able to say, "She can't see, it's not ADHD. Next....") I made an appt with her eye doc.

She takes Brooke back, comes back out few minutes later, and tells us Brooke can't even read the big E. Tells us that she has done a test and Brooke's vision is 20/20, but she is faking. She said she is gonna put some glasses on her and see if she can do better. The glasses are fake, but Brooke doesn't know that.

"OK, Brooke try again, what is the smallest line you can read?"

"American Eye Chart Company, copywrite 1962", says Brooke. (OK, not really, but you get my point)

So now we are at the point were the doctor should tell her that the glasses are fake and that she can really see!

Does she do that? No, instead she starts talking about writing a prescription for glasses. HUH? She just told us Brooke has 20/20 vision, why is she writing a prescription? Why isn't she lowering the boom? She's telling me that the glasses are cheap, maybe $40, and we can get the glass place to put in fake lenses.

Wait a minute. I ask Michelle to take Brooke out, so I can talk to the doctor.

Me - Does Brooke need glasses?
Doc - No.
Me - Then why are you writing her a prescription?
Doc - This will prove to her she doesn't need them.
Me - Then why are you writing her a prescription?

Anyway, I guess it was just a misunderstanding, and maybe she thought the best way to handle it was for me to buy Brooke a pair of fake glasses to prove to her she doesn't need them.

Although she does know Brooke has ADHD, I don't think she realizes how Brooke can obsess on something.

So I took the prescription (which I ahve no intention of filling) and I told Brooke that she didn't need glasses and tha she was faking. The glasses the doctor used were fake. Brooke actually admitted that she was faking. Usually, she will lie forever. I told her it was OK, and I understood why she did it. I wanted glasses too, up until I actually had to get them.

But I did get the doctor to write me a letter to the school to say that nothing is wrong with Brooke's vision, so I can take that ammo away from them, if I have to.

Don't get me wrong if Brooke had a vision problem, I would definately address it.

The whole situation was kinda ridiculous.

Thanks for listening.

But this was ridiculo

[HooDunnit]

My, what an unusual story. Good thing you were there to sort that out. I didn't realize that doctors would write presciptions for placebo eye glasses, but it makes sense I guess since they are willing to write prescriptions for placebo everything elses.

Is next Weds. Brooke's birthday? For some reason I have that written on my calendar. It is also St. Patrick's day.

What do you think about the IEP? Would that be helpful?

Barry

[Dad2Brooke]

Barry, yeah she really threw me for a loop when she told me there was nothing wrong with Brooke's eyes, but here's a prescription for glasses.

Actually, next Wednesday is the meeting with the school. All the testing is done and I guess this is the meeting where we decide if Brooke needs an IEP.

If it is decided that she needs one, then within 30 days the Child Study Team (parents, teachers, vice principle, counselors, school psychologist) will write one.

I definately feel an IEP will benefit her. I especially want it for tests. I want someone to be with her to keep her on task when she takes one. She does very poorly unsupervised, but with supervision she aces them.

Brooke's birthday is actually October 10th.

[HooDunnit]

Yes, that's right. I wrote Brooke on my calendar for March 17 because you had mentioned about the IEP. I intended to inquire with you after that. I think you're quite right about supervision. My ADHD-son benefited a lot from the one-on-one instruction when I homeschooled him for five years (ages 10 to 15). Now he doesn't seem to need it, and can be in a classroom fine. So some of these things don't last forever.

You're a great advocate!!

Barry

[AnneM]

Wow !! What a story ... $40 for a prescription for a child who DOESN'T need glasses!! ... I would call that "easy money" !! ...

We actually have the opposite scenario ... Sam DOES need glasses ... one of his eyes in particular is extremely poor ... he was a member of the so-called "patch-club" in primary school ... he was given prescriptions for glasses at big expense but would never wear them !! Absolutely HATED them!! ... a constant battle ...

NOW at going-on 16 he is finally old enough for contact lenses and we have an appointment next week ... but this could be "interesting" ... how he will cope with contact lenses (which ironically he really WANTS !!) is yet to be seen!! ...

So the kids who don't wear glasses WANT them ... and the kids who DO need glasses DON'T want them ... GO figure eh??

[finnmom]

D2B
TO EYE DOCTOR

That was wierd, what was she thinking If anything

I hope you´ll get the IEP for Brooke, that sound´s just what the doctor´s order ;D

Marja

[Linda]

I had to smile Ralph...Paul used to fail his eye and hearing tests in elementary school...but I don't think it was on purpose...he just was not PAYING ATTENTION!! He was more interested in what was going on around him.

Brooke sounds like my kind of kid...I bet she is a real "cut up"

[Dad2Brooke]

Most definately.

It's hard to stay mad at her. Which is a good thing.

[Amsmom]

Paying $40 just to prove to a child that they don't need glasses? That is absurd!! Besides, how would that show the child that they don't need glasses? They may not recognize that they are seeing the same way with and without glasses. Also, if Brooke had really wanted glasses, but didn't need them, writing the prescription would have only reinforced her wanting something she didn't need! Wowsa, what a weird idea Doc!!

You and I discussed our kids faking illnesses and injuries a while back. I think you win, my friend!!!

[Honeysmom]

I would have some real doubts about that eye doctor. $40 is a lot of $ to humor a littel girl, IMHO. In fact, I have over-heard my eye doc tell people that all they need are glasses for reading. Then he'll them them that he has them avail. for $16, but if they go to Wal-mart they are only $8, and sometimes the Dollar Tree has them for $1. He writes it all down and tells them to come back and have them fitted properly if they want to.

I hope her IEP meeting goes OK, you sound like you are really prepared for it.

And I am glad to hear that she didn't lie about faking it once she was discovered. That is great. I remember my dad's threat, "If you are faking bad eyes you are paying for the visit!" Thank goodness I really needed them, I was only 8!

[camismom]

What a quack! Next time tell her you'll fill that bogus presc if she's willing to pay! ;D ;D

Good luck on the IEP!

[rosyred45]

Jeez, I'm supposed to wear glasses, but as soon as my arm isn't long enough to hold the book away, I guess I'll put them on. ;D

Or when I go to make trouble I'll put them on too. I've been told I look about 21 when I don't wear my glasses, but I look like a mean teacher when I have them on .........

Kaiti
Now, where''d I put them again...

[Dad2Brooke]

Kaiti, did you leave them with your hat and broom?

[rosyred45]

darned if you didn't them for me Ralph

Thank you.
Kaiti
Princess Kathrine