Developmental Optometrist Visit

Deane and I travelled to Arlington Heights to see Mr. Neil Margolis, one of just a couple developmental optometrist in the state.  This was a rather big adventure for us to drive just the two of us for 3.25 hours each way.  Deane just chilled and watched some "Cars", snacked and rested with "Miggy" (his blanket).

We left after his morning therapy around 11:30 and arrived about 45 mintues before his appointment.  I took the opportunity to try Portillo's for the first time (I was unforunately underwhelmed by the flavor of their beef hot dogs).  We borrowed my mom's car and got out in the back to move around a little before heading into the appointment.  With Deane, a trip and visit like this could go very poorly depending on lots of factors which is why I wanted to arrive early, get out some energy, etc. 

I had typed in "Dr. Margolis Arlington Heights, IL" into my Google Maps on my Blackberry and followed the directions all the way there.  We left the restaurant parking lot in time to arrive at 3:15 (15 minutes early) so we could complete paperwork and get Deane used to the environment.  Upon arrival at the building, I pumped Deane up with "we're going to go to this cool new place", "Dr. Margolis is going to say 'show me your eyes'", etc.  We got up to the office of Dr. Margolis only to find out that we were at the Dermatologist on N. Arlighton Heights Rd. instead of the Dr. Margolis on S. Arlington Heights Rd.!!!  TWO Dr. Margolis on the same road! 

I'm certain the receptionist saw the panic in my eyes as I thought through to the process of getting Deane (who was wrapped around their waiting area fish tank already) back out of this building, to another with another pep talk in less than 15 mintues.  We had already waited 5 weeks to get in and of course dedicated to drive for 6.5 hours to make the appointment work.  She handed me the number to the other office and then decided to call there for me.  They were sweet at both offices.  Deane cried from one office to the next but fortunately changed his tune upon walking into the Optometrist Dr. Margolis's office when he saw the little chalkboard, puzzles, etc. 

I was sure that Deane would not cooperate with the exam because all I remembered from eye tests were looking into boxes and identifying where the red light was.  They took us to a room and turned on Elmo.  Dr. Margolis, a soft spoken man, came in to chat with me while Deane "got used to his being in the room".  Then Deane climbed on my lap in the exam chair, Dr. Margolis turned down the lights and turned on some sort of party light, barking stuffed dogs on the wall across from us, and began looking at various lenses.  Deane sat still!  It was unbelieveable.  We proceeded to try on different glasses and I coached him through doing this in the hallway as well.  Deane has glasses with prisms on the way and we're going to work on redirecting him when he's endulging in behaviors that reinforce a peripheral vision dominance.  Dr. Margolis explained that most kids become more dependent on their central vision with age, but that Deane is probably using this behavior (for example, getting on floor to look at vehicle wheels) to block out other sensory stimulation.

As I described the experience to Chris, he said, "this guys sounds like a wizard" and I thought probably summed up my amazement at how smooth the visit went.  I wish I had snapped photos of Deane trying on the frames or the crazy glasses attached by elastic that were reminscent of Sylvia Weinstock, but I just didn't have enough hands.

We learned a lot and will have new glasses to show off soon!