Although I wrote a glowing review for Dr. Reidy several years ago, I feel compelled to post an update. My son and I have seen this doctor several times each over the intervening years since my last review and things have gone OK. However, over the last few visits my 10 year has had with him, Dr. Reidy has become increasingly impatient with my son. Dr. Reidy is aware (from past appointments and the medical forms we fill out in office) that my child is very anxious and has some sensory-related issues.
At his last appointment, a couple of weeks ago, Dr. Reidy needed to use the scope to go through my son's nose to check his throat. My son, who was already anxious just being in the office, got more upset when he found out that the doctor was going to put the scope through his nose instead of his mouth this time. Instead of trying to calm my son in ANY way, Dr. Reidy just stood back by the door, audibly sighing and shrugging multiple times, saying, "Well, he's either going to do this or he isn't!" (Let's just say that didn't help my son's anxiety level or mine). My son kept saying how he wanted to cooperate but he was scared. He was not getting out of the chair or flailing or anything of that caliber; he kept taking a breath, putting his head back and trying to prepare himself. Then, he would get scared again. In other words, he was obviously upset but it was also apparent that he really wanted to do what was expected of him. Meanwhile, Dr. Reidy is telling him that other kids, much younger than him, could handle this procedure just fine. (That was not a helpful thing to say, either). My son was finally able to let Dr. Reidy put the scope through his nose and, apparently, was able to get a glimpse of his throat. However, my son pulled the scope out because he was hurting. Of course, he should not have done that! However, I then had my son crying on one side of me so I was trying to comfort him while also telling him he shouldn't have pulled the scope out. Meanwhile, Dr. Reidy launched into a somewhat loud and very verbal upbraiding of both of us saying, "That doesn't hurt like that! After 15 to 20 seconds of the scope being out it doesn't hurt anymore." To paraphrase, he said, "Look how dramatic he is being! Look how he is acting. When he acts like that, the [vocal chord] nodules are just going to come right back again." When my son's crying got a little less pronounced, Dr. Reidy said something like, "See! He's calming down now but as soon as you turn and give him attention he'll probably start right back again! It isn't going to get better until this behavior is better. You have your hands full." (Remember, this is all based on an anxious 10 year old's behavior in a slightly scary situation that even adults often have trouble with).
I work in the dental field and often have anxious patients. People (of all ages) who are scared need patience and kindness, not negativity and a mean attitude from their medical provider. My son is an A student in a gifted classroom with all high marks in behavior at school. He was just really scared in this situation and instead of helping reduce the anxiety, Dr. Reidy only managed to make it worse. Dr. Reidy may be knowledgeable in his field and, I will say, he has helped us in the past, but (in my opinion) you should NOT take your child to him if he/she has anxiety or any sensory issues My son was upset after we left because he felt so bad about "how he had done," based on how Dr. Reidy behaved toward him. I don't believe I have every personally witnessed a doctor being so unprofessional. Dr. Reidy would do well to remember that old saying, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!" read more
