QUESTIONS FOR THE DOCTOR AND ORTHOTIST/CLINICIAN

Most families find themselves in the office of a Pediatric Neurologist, a Pediatric Neurosurgeon or Craniofacial Plastic Surgeon during the course of obtaining an official diagnosis.  We have compiled a list of some questions that you may want to ask your child's doctor.  

Please know that it is not uncommon for a specialist to refer you to another specialist once more serious conditions are ruled out.  My daughter first went to see a Pediatric Neurologist where she received all her testing (Neurological Evaluation, MRI and X-Rays).  Once the official diagnosis was made, my daughter was referred to a Craniofacial Plastic Surgeon in order to receive treatment for her Positional Plagiocephaly.  This can be very discouraging if you are not aware that it could happen.

 Questions To Ask The Doctor That Is Seeing Your Child

• Does my child have Positional Plagiocephaly or Craniosynostosis?

• Are there any other conditions that concern the doctor, ie Hydrocephaly, etc.?

• Will further testing be needed?

• What kind of testing will be done?

• Who will read the test results?  Will the person be qualified to read imaging of the skull?

• Does my child have Torticollis?

  • Can the doctor refer my child to a physical therapist that treats infants?

  • Will the doctor write a prescription for physical therapy if one is needed?

• What is the severity of my child's Positional Plagiocephaly?

• Does my child have facial asymmetry?  What is the severity?

• Would my child be a good candidate for reposition therapy?

  • Will the doctor give instruction on how to best achieve repositioning?

  • How long should reposition therapy be practiced before we seek other treatment options? 

  • Will the doctor follow up and monitor my child's Positional Plagiocephaly to determine if band/helmet treatment should be sought?

• Would my child be a good candidate for band/helmet therapy?

  • Does the doctor treat with band/helmet therapy?

  • If the doctor does not treat, will he/she refer my child to someone who does?

  • Will the doctor write a prescription for the band/helmet if one is needed?

  • What would be the approximate length of treatment that my child will require?

  • What would the probable prognosis be for my child's Positional Plagiocephaly if we treat with a band/helmet?

  • Will the doctor be monitoring the results of band/helmet treatment?

  • Will the doctor be in communication with the Orthotist/Clinician over my child's care and treatment?

  • Will the doctor play a part in determining if my child is ready to graduate from band/helmet therapy?

• If I decide not to treat my child, will there be any complications?

 

Questions To Ask The Orthotist/Clinician 

Once an official diagnosis is made and a course of treatment is planned, many children are referred to an Orthotist or Treatment Facility in order to obtain cranial orthosis.  Below is a list of questions to ask the Orthotist/Clinician.

• Does the Orthotist/Clinician have experience treating Positional Plagiocephaly?

• How long have they used the particular band/helmet?

• How much does the specific band/helmet cost?

  • Are all adjustments, castings, appointments, etc, covered in this cost?

  • Can we be put on a payment plan if our insurance does not cover the cost?

  • Will the office of the Orthotist/Clinician assist me in appeals process if my insurance won't cover the cost of the band/helmet?

• Is the band/helmet a molding helmet, or does it apply gentle pressure?  Does it have a name brand?

• How often will adjustments be made?

• What is done to the band/helmet when an adjustment is made?

• Will there be a casting?

• How long will the casting take, and what should we expect?

• How long will it take for the band/helmet to be ready after the casting?

• Will we be able to come for the first fitting as soon as the band/helmet is ready?  Or should we make a tentative appointment now?

• Will my child's entrance head mold be available for the Orthotist/Clinician to compare to?

• Will measurements be taken periodically to monitor my child's progress?

• What would be the approximate length of treatment that my child will require?

• Will more then one band/helmet be required?

• What kind of results should we expect?

• How long before we see any results?

• Will someone be available if we need to come in for an unexpected adjustment or need to call because there is a problem?

• What do we use to clean the band/helmet?

• How long and how often, can we remove the band/helmet for cleaning etc.?

• Will we be required to do spot checks in the beginning?  For how long?  How often?  And what are we looking for?

• What is the procedure if my child has a temperature?

• Will the Orthotist/Clinician be in communication with my child's doctor over my child's care and treatment?

• Who makes the determination of when my child is ready to graduate?

It is important to note that parent's need to trust their parental instinct.  If you are not confident with a doctor or orthotist/clinician, then find another that you are comfortable with.  Also, never be afraid to ask your child's doctor or orthotist/clinician questions.  If you forget to ask a question then call them.  

 

A Word Of Advice

A word of advice I would like to offer, something I have learned from my own mistakes.  Your child's doctor will more then likely ask if your child was born with this condition.  Please, before you answer this, make sure that you have reviewed pictures and video taken around the time of your child's birth.  If you think your child was indeed born with Plagio, be sure to say so.  This could make a huge difference with insurance and coverage of cranial orthosis.  Please do not make the same mistake that I did...I said my daughter was NOT born with Plagio, but after the fact I realized by looking at pictures and video that she really was.  Had I not made this mistake my insurance would have covered the expense of Cranial Orthosis without a fight (as stated in their denial letter).  But instead I have had to fight my insurance company and try to rewrite history because I was too quick to answer this question and my original answer is in all of my daughter's reports.  This may not apply to all insurance companies, but it is better to be certain beforehand so that you do not end up repeating my mistake. 

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The information on this website should not be used for medical advice.  Medical or health advice should be provided only by medical or health professionals.

©Craniosynostosis And Positional Plagiocephaly Support, Inc.2001