RE: Cranial Tech Paramus-Lea

[Guest guest]

Lea,

Where do you live in the Albany area? We are in Malta. Did you visit the Hanger office? I'd be interested in hearing about your experience there. We are in the process of fighting our ins. company because they wanted us to go to Hanger.

Amy

Logan 11 mos/Doc Band grad

plagiocephaly From: lkmcneely122@...Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2008 15:07:33 -0400Subject: Cranial Tech Paramus

(Warning: this is LONG) Hi, I'm new to this group although I belong to the allaboutplagiocephaly group. just asked to me share my experience with Cranial Tech in Paramus with you guys. My son, Caleb now 15 months, has had the DOC band since Jan. He was born with a flat head although the pediatrician never suggested repositioning or the word plagiocephaly to me but at his 9 month appointment she referred us to CT. I did a lot of research on plagio and the different bands. CT was out of network for our insurance so we'd have to pay 1/3 the cost plus it was a 2.5 hour drive to Paramus (we from the albany area) so add the cost of tolls and gas. There was Hanger that was locally but I was much more impressed with CT since infant bands is all they do and they had better success with older babies. So we decided to go with CT because of their reputation. His consultation was mid December with Kat. She said he had moderate plagio and recommended the band. CT did all the insurance paperwork for us and he was casted New Year's Eve by Purvi. He was banded Jan 14th and from the moment they put the band on, I was uncomfortable. It kept shifting to the right and smushing down his right eye. Kat made some adjustments but it still smushed his eye. She reassured me that shifting in the beginning was normal because the band is really designed for how his head will be in the end so there was room for his head to grow. I was O.K. with that answer. The next few appointments though I brought up the fit, how it would shift and the "sideburn" on the right would cover his ear partially and the one on the left would dig into his cheek. I could always move it back though to sit straight. She just kept reassuring me. Then on the side where the strap is he started to bulge. She said that it wasn't the skull growing out but rather fluid under the skin which I had read about on the discussion board so again I was O.K. with how she addressed my concerns. The real shocker was when Kat brought up a second band end of February. I thought the band was supposed to last 3-4 months so I was upset that we had to think of one after 1.5 months. In my mind I started to think that she brought it up because she thought the band was a poor fit too but just wouldn't come out and say it. After a lot of thinking and stress I decided that although I'm not the expert, the band didn't fit and that I wanted a replacement one and absolutely wouldn't pay for a second one. After some advice from the other discussion group I emailed corporate my situation and sent along pictures of Caleb's head shaping progress that I took every other week and pictures of how the band fit his head. I then decided in fairness to Kat to email my thoughts to her too and sent her the same pictures and asked that at the next appointment I could get a second opinion from another therapist in the office. The receptionist called back with the appointment for pictures (so we could see if any progress had been made) and that we'd get the second opinion. But I asked to talk to Kat and he said she was busy and was going out to town that night. So I was very upset that I wasn't going to get to talk to her before our appointment. At our appointment Kat appologized for not calling me which I thought was very professional and very appreciated. Then Purvi provided the second opinion. After 5 minutes of just trying to set the band properly on his head (at this point no matter what I couldn't get the band to sit straight on his head - the bulge on the strap side was significant enough that the edge of the band wouldn't go over it but rather rubbed up against it) she must have agreed with poor fit because she suggested taking pictures of fit and sending them to corporate. Within 2 days I heard they were going to replace it for free. Kat did the second casting and this one was to be hand shaped by the orthotist. I had thought about asking to switch therapists since I feel Kat dropped the ball on the first band, but realized that the poor fit wasn't her fault. She didn't cast him nor did she make the band. But I had wished she was more attentive to my concerns about fit and that she was more proactive in getting him a properly fitting band before I had to do it myself. But I decided to give her a second chance and that I would have to be proactive from the start. He received his new band April 7th and this one fits far better than the first and we've had absolutely no problems with fit. At times I was torn about my experience with CT. I work in healthcare and do realize that there is a small amount of human error in everything but just wished it hadn't happened to us and now my son has to wear the band 2 months longer than anticipated. I was happy that they replaced it for free - i thought that made them live up to their reputation. I know the biggest advice on the board is to find the people with the most experience with bands but every place has less experienced people and I really think moms (and dads) have to follow their instinct. They have to ask LOTS of questions, educate themselves and be proactive. Parents are their children's best advocate. So no matter how experienced your orthotist or therapist is - only you know how the band really fits when they're playing or sleeping or how they affect your child so you have to speak up. Kat has been great. She is professional, she's great with Caleb and in my opinion she has made proper adjustments and advice on wear (when he did have some red spots in the beginning she walked me through the wear daily and he never had any skin breakdown). All babies are different and all therapists are different so meet with one, ask questions and if things aren't to your liking, there are more therapists in the office so ask for a second opinion. I certainly didn't choose CT based on price or ease of appointments, I went with my gut and although we had bumps in the road in the end I'm happy with the overall experience. It's stressful to think that your decisions can negatively affect your child, but the more educated someone is about something, the less stressful things are. I wish that I hadn't had the problems I did have with CT or Kat but in the end their professionalism won out and if I had to do it all over again I would still pay the extra money, travel the extra distance and would choose CT. I know other mother's have had problems with poor fit too and requiring replacement bands but my son didn't get a properly fitted band until he was nearly 14 months old and we've see great correction. I know there's a lot of stress out there on what company to choose and what therapist, but do some research and go with your instinct. If you choose a therapist or one is choosen for you and you have reservations because your questions weren't answered or you think they're ingoring something important to you or you just plan don't have good rapport with them, ask to see another. If anyone is interested I'm leaving a link to my blog which I've detailed Caleb's journey with plagio. I hope this has helped anyone who is stressing over which company or which therapist. Good luck! Lea calebplagio.blogspot.com

Now you can invite friends from Facebook and other groups to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Add them now! Search that pays you back! Introducing Live Search cashback. Search Now!

[Guest guest]

Amy,

I actually live in Schenectady. I never did visit the Hanger Office. We were just more impressed with Cranial Tech and their specialty in the band. Our insurance too only covered Hanger fully but we thought Cranial Tech was worth the greater drive, distance and price. If you visit Hanger, let me know how it goes.

Lea

plagiocephaly From: amerrigan8@...Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:54:17 -0400Subject: RE: Cranial Tech Paramus-Lea

Lea,Where do you live in the Albany area? We are in Malta. Did you visit the Hanger office? I'd be interested in hearing about your experience there. We are in the process of fighting our ins. company because they wanted us to go to Hanger.AmyLogan 11 mos/Doc Band grad

plagiocephaly From: lkmcneely122hotmailDate: Sun, 8 Jun 2008 15:07:33 -0400Subject: Cranial Tech Paramus

(Warning: this is LONG) Hi, I'm new to this group although I belong to the allaboutplagiocephaly group. just asked to me share my experience with Cranial Tech in Paramus with you guys. My son, Caleb now 15 months, has had the DOC band since Jan. He was born with a flat head although the pediatrician never suggested repositioning or the word plagiocephaly to me but at his 9 month appointment she referred us to CT. I did a lot of research on plagio and the different bands. CT was out of network for our insurance so we'd have to pay 1/3 the cost plus it was a 2.5 hour drive to Paramus (we from the albany area) so add the cost of tolls and gas. There was Hanger that was locally but I was much more impressed with CT since infant bands is all they do and they had better success with older babies. So we decided to go with CT because of their reputation. His consultation was mid December with Kat. She said he had moderate plagio and recommended the band. CT did all the insurance paperwork for us and he was casted New Year's Eve by Purvi. He was banded Jan 14th and from the moment they put the band on, I was uncomfortable. It kept shifting to the right and smushing down his right eye. Kat made some adjustments but it still smushed his eye. She reassured me that shifting in the beginning was normal because the band is really designed for how his head will be in the end so there was room for his head to grow. I was O.K. with that answer. The next few appointments though I brought up the fit, how it would shift and the "sideburn" on the right would cover his ear partially and the one on the left would dig into his cheek. I could always move it back though to sit straight. She just kept reassuring me. Then on the side where the strap is he started to bulge. She said that it wasn't the skull growing out but rather fluid under the skin which I had read about on the discussion board so again I was O.K. with how she addressed my concerns. The real shocker was when Kat brought up a second band end of February. I thought the band was supposed to last 3-4 months so I was upset that we had to think of one after 1.5 months. In my mind I started to think that she brought it up because she thought the band was a poor fit too but just wouldn't come out and say it. After a lot of thinking and stress I decided that although I'm not the expert, the band didn't fit and that I wanted a replacement one and absolutely wouldn't pay for a second one. After some advice from the other discussion group I emailed corporate my situation and sent along pictures of Caleb's head shaping progress that I took every other week and pictures of how the band fit his head. I then decided in fairness to Kat to email my thoughts to her too and sent her the same pictures and asked that at the next appointment I could get a second opinion from another therapist in the office. The receptionist called back with the appointment for pictures (so we could see if any progress had been made) and that we'd get the second opinion. But I asked to talk to Kat and he said she was busy and was going out to town that night. So I was very upset that I wasn't going to get to talk to her before our appointment. At our appointment Kat appologized for not calling me which I thought was very professional and very appreciated. Then Purvi provided the second opinion. After 5 minutes of just trying to set the band properly on his head (at this point no matter what I couldn't get the band to sit straight on his head - the bulge on the strap side was significant enough that the edge of the band wouldn't go over it but rather rubbed up against it) she must have agreed with poor fit because she suggested taking pictures of fit and sending them to corporate. Within 2 days I heard they were going to replace it for free. Kat did the second casting and this one was to be hand shaped by the orthotist. I had thought about asking to switch therapists since I feel Kat dropped the ball on the first band, but realized that the poor fit wasn't her fault. She didn't cast him nor did she make the band. But I had wished she was more attentive to my concerns about fit and that she was more proactive in getting him a properly fitting band before I had to do it myself. But I decided to give her a second chance and that I would have to be proactive from the start. He received his new band April 7th and this one fits far better than the first and we've had absolutely no problems with fit. At times I was torn about my experience with CT. I work in healthcare and do realize that there is a small amount of human error in everything but just wished it hadn't happened to us and now my son has to wear the band 2 months longer than anticipated. I was happy that they replaced it for free - i thought that made them live up to their reputation. I know the biggest advice on the board is to find the people with the most experience with bands but every place has less experienced people and I really think moms (and dads) have to follow their instinct. They have to ask LOTS of questions, educate themselves and be proactive. Parents are their children's best advocate. So no matter how experienced your orthotist or therapist is - only you know how the band really fits when they're playing or sleeping or how they affect your child so you have to speak up. Kat has been great. She is professional, she's great with Caleb and in my opinion she has made proper adjustments and advice on wear (when he did have some red spots in the beginning she walked me through the wear daily and he never had any skin breakdown). All babies are different and all therapists are different so meet with one, ask questions and if things aren't to your liking, there are more therapists in the office so ask for a second opinion. I certainly didn't choose CT based on price or ease of appointments, I went with my gut and although we had bumps in the road in the end I'm happy with the overall experience. It's stressful to think that your decisions can negatively affect your child, but the more educated someone is about something, the less stressful things are. I wish that I hadn't had the problems I did have with CT or Kat but in the end their professionalism won out and if I had to do it all over again I would still pay the extra money, travel the extra distance and would choose CT. I know other mother's have had problems with poor fit too and requiring replacement bands but my son didn't get a properly fitted band until he was nearly 14 months old and we've see great correction. I know there's a lot of stress out there on what company to choose and what therapist, but do some research and go with your instinct. If you choose a therapist or one is choosen for you and you have reservations because your questions weren't answered or you think they're ingoring something important to you or you just plan don't have good rapport with them, ask to see another. If anyone is interested I'm leaving a link to my blog which I've detailed Caleb's journey with plagio. I hope this has helped anyone who is stressing over which company or which therapist. Good luck! Lea calebplagio.blogspot.com

Now you can invite friends from Facebook and other groups to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Add them now!

Search that pays you back! Introducing Live Search cashback. Search Now! Enjoy 5 GB of free, password-protected online storage. Get Windows Live SkyDrive.