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meemee1 · Jun 28, 2009, 04:10 PM

I am a grandmother of 4. I don't have any problems seeing them or anything of that nature... however... my son and his wife have 2 of my grandkids and they never take them to the doctor! The littlest one (3) has some speech problems and they won't take him to make sure there is nothing wrong or to see if he can get some help. They say they are broke... I've been there so I understand that, but I at least took mine to the health clinics or made payment arrangements for their visits. I heard that I don't have any rights to take him and pay for it, but they won't take him. I don't want him to start school and not be able to talk. What should I do?

twinkiedooter · Jun 28, 2009, 04:19 PM

You need to ask permission of the parents to take the child to a speech therapist to ensure that the child can talk properly. If you want to pay for the treatments at the therapist, by all means do so as the child will definitely be at a disadvantage in kindergarten or grade school not being able to speak. The child should have started to talk by age 2 at the latest. Please get some help for this child as fast as possible. You may inquire at the speech therapist's office if they have any program available that enlists the help of intern speech therapists in their offices for a reduced hourly or visit rate having the student teach your grandchild the week's lesson.

N0help4u · Jun 28, 2009, 04:53 PM

You should be able to make arrangements with doctors to take them. One of the parents would have to go with you for the initial visit to sign any forms stating they give you permission to be bringing them.

If they are within certain financial ranges they should be able to get medical asst from welfare or even a hospital. Clinics would go by the parents income.

I have noticed that many boys are not talking until 3 or 4 yrs old but they really need to be checked to make sure they don't have a problem they could be getting help for.

meemee1 · Jun 28, 2009, 05:03 PM

I really appreciate the answers.. thank you so much. However.. I have actually talked to some doctors and I found one that will see him and that I can make payments to... but they won't go with me.. nor let me take him. They will not sign anything for me to take him. I don't understand this at all.. but they are saying that they don't think anything is wrong with him... he is just progressing slower than most. I hate that because they don't know for sure.. there could be something wrong. The few things he does say, he says in separate words such as... instead of saying 'meemee's house'.. he will say 'meemee... house', as if he can't put words together. And he doesn't even say that well. I am really worried and would be more than happy to pay and help but they won't let me.

stevetcg · Jun 28, 2009, 05:42 PM

You cannot force them to let you help, nor can you do so (legally) without their consent.

Best you can do is try to convince them. Show examples, cite research etc. Appeal to them as their mother do just "do this one little thing for me".

Heck... bribe them!

N0help4u · Jun 28, 2009, 05:44 PM

Your hands are really tied then I think.
Hopefully they will have him in school by 5 yrs old and the school will tell them they have to take him for speech therapy if they think it is necessary.
Do they allow you to visit with your grandkids otherwise?
Do they take him for his immunizations?
Or are they not bothering with the doctors even for that?

You could call Child Protective Services but they would know it was you and alienate you even more.