NOT a "behavior problem"

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So a couple months ago we took our son to his pediatrician to discuss our concerns that he may be on the AS (his teacher agrees with us). After telling us that high-functioning autistics are "geniuses" and low-functioning means "dumb", he gave us a useless referral to a Christian Counseling Center where they had no child specialists and they mainly counsel adults who are getting divorces and such.

Anyway, today we got a bill for that waste of time visit. Turns out, the doctor's office coded it as "behavioral problem - other". Autism is a behavioral problem now? My kid is just naughty, and I'm clueless, is that it? Also, our insurance of course did not cover it with a label like that!!
Neither of my children will ever EVER set foot in that practice again.

So there's my little rant.
I feel marginally better now.

Please, stick to that decision.

A clueless doctor can do far more harm than you probably imagine. My life has made me very jumpy when it comes to the medical profession, and just the details in your post set off all my radar.

Woah thats awful, we had that at first, made me feel like was a bad mother. We carried on regardless, nodding politely when required to, then moving on to a different Dr and now we are getting somewhere. Go with your instincts is the best advice we got, parents know their own child best

Wow. That is really bad. My sympathies to you.

I would challenge that bill and not pay it. Tell him, after careful consideration, the appointment was intended to request a referal for an Autism assessment. Ask his classroom teacher to speak on your behalf because they'll likely ask him/her to fill out forms, anyway. It's unfortunate you didn't say so when you were in the office but I can understand feeling intimidated when he didn't believe you.

High functioning Autism does not mean "genius" - btw. He's mistaken that for Aspergers, who are known to be "little professors". It goes to show you how little he knows about this condition. My son has high functioning Autism and struggles academically. Being low-functioning does not mean the child/person is "dumb" either. All people have a strength in them, somewhere. It's just a matter of finding out what that is. I knew a boy who was "low functioning" and non-verbal. However, when he communicated with you, he sang. For example, if you asked him what the weather was like today, he'd likely respond "sunny" with, "Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me.." a song. He was also known as the "Little Michael Jackson" because he had RYTHM! I bet he had some musical savant.

Also, the term is called "problem behaviour" NOT "behaviour problem". There is a significant differance between the two terms.

Your doctor is ignorant and I'm glad you've decided to move on.
Poor you! Hang in there and keep advocating for your child.

What bothers me is what is now in your son's medical file.

I would send a letter to the practice and insist it be added to the medical file, that based on further research and consultation with specialists it is quite apparent to you that this doctor had no understanding or training in the required areas of knowledge and should have told you so, rather than rendering an inappropriate diagnosis and sending you a bill for it.

Document.

As for paying the bill, well, I'd give a good stab at negotiating it, but if that failed I'd pay it to keep my credit clean. Just get your protest of the advice into the file.

It''s not easy finding a good paediatrician....(shrug and sigh
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Goodness, that is awful. I sure as heck would not want him filling out any forms for the school. I hope you can find someone new who is not an idiot.

What stood out most in your post was the mention of your referral to a Christian Counselling Centre. I do not wish to offend Christians, but that does not strike me as the sort of thing that a doctor should be doing at all. I think a counselling service is all well and good, but referral to a religious organisation, sounds very dubious indeed. What kind of doc is he? Does he work in an ordinary hospital or practice? Was religion discussed during your appointment? I really hope you were provided with a list of counselling providers and you were the one who chose this one, as you felt it might meet your needs best. In any case, he's not a good doc and you should ask for your money back.

I don't even think the doctor himself is a Christian, and I'm agnositic, and it's not a Christian office. So basically, I have no idea why he would refer us to such a place. He told me the name of the center was "Masterpiece" and when I got home and looked it up online it was "MasterPeace" with a big cross on the logo. They have no one on their staff who is a child psychologist or developmental psychologist or any kind of child doctor. They also don't administer the ADOS, which I specifically requested when I asked for a referral.
He's just a terrible, terrible doctor.

I would call him ASAP and make a complaint. I would repeat what you just wrote in your last post and say they are not qualified to assess your child. Makes me so mad!! I would also file a formal complaint against him.