Don’t Rattle a Mama Bear’s Cage

Rather than go through the whole spiel, I’m going to copy an email with identifiers edited. Suffice it to say that we have been dealing with this issue for MONTHS. In those months, poor Joseph has been going downhill. And it might not have been necessary.

from: Michele {email}
to Dr. Therapist {email}
cc Poe {email}, Dr. District
date Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 11:49 AM
subject Regarding Joseph {last name}

Hi Dr. Therapist,

Please feel free to forward this email to any administrative personnel who handle such things. I’ve also CC’d my husband and Dr. District with our school district.

I write, in all honesty, with some frustration. Skipping details, the point is that everyone involved in Joseph’s case felt that consulting with a psychiatrist, and investigating if medication for anxiety (or anything else) might be appropriate at this stage for Joseph. When the subject was broached, in was basically shut down by {Big Therapy Center}, because it wasn’t part of his plan. So Dr. District went ahead and requested that his {State Treatment Plan} be officially evaluated to add this to his program.

Today, we met with Dr. Big State. She was his initial evaluator in 2007. We went through his case updating it from 2007. She was confused as to why she called upon to do this. Why? Because psychiatric care and medication prescription is already a part of his plan.

{Big Therapy Center} has his {State Treatment Plan} plan. Twice actually, once when he initially started treatment there, and I sent another copy when it was somehow lost. You’ll see his recommendations on pages 7 and 8.

“The Department of Mental Health finds that Joseph {last name} qualifies for mental health services under {State Treatment Plan}. {Various treatment recommendations redacted.} , medication evaluation and follow-up by a psychiatrist if medications are prescribed.”

Dr. Big State is going to write an addendum and say the exact same thing. “Yep, you’re qualified… and already were.” She went further on to say that this is the standard wording, and is ALWAYS included, unless the individual does not qualify for {State Treatment Plan} in the first place.

So. When can we make an appointment with the psychiatrist?

–Michele
Mother of Joseph {last name}

My anger is frothing.