I recommend our developmental pediatrician

I just want to share how much I love Dr. Ruee Huang at Cohens! And I have taken my child to see 2 neurologists and 1 other dev ped already and feel we finally found the right one! She is the perfect combination of smart, caring, informative and proactive. It's a bit of a wait for an appointment but well worth it. I am so happy I kept searching until I found that level of confidence and comfort I've been looking for in a doctor. Yay!

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

I did not see that dr., but we also felt Cohen's was worth the wait as well. It's so worth it when you have a dr that is caring, on your side, and genuinely out to help your child. Makes all the difference in the world.

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

So glad you had a good experience.

i have been debating on whether or not to take DS (age 4, almost 5) to a developmental ped. I have been happy with his neurologist and regular pediatrician, but I still feel like I don't know what is going on with him. He's a little spectrumy (not ASD, neuro. says social is too good, which I can see--to a point), he has gross motor delays, pragmatic speech delay, low-tone, ADD with some ODD tendencies (At home only).

What did you find that she did to help your child? Not sure if he needs to go to one, or if it would be worthwhile.

Thanks....

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

I recommend our developmental pediatrician

Holy cow- their soonest appt for a new patient is December!

Message edited 5/2/2016 8:55:17 PM.

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

I will tell you my experience. When my twins started in CPSE (a little over 3 years old), we kept being asked have we ever taking them to a developmental ped? We finally said ok, we need to check this out. The wait was about 5 months I think, but once you are a patient it's not that long.

They sent us I kid you not about a 20 page questionnare packet we had to complete and bring in before we could make the appointment! At first I was pissed (mind you I had to do this for each kid), but then as I started answering each question/survey including their IEPs etc. a Lightbulb went off and I was like wait, they get it. They get you cannot squeeze your child's behavioral history in a half of a blank line.

After that, we were given an appointment (actually the intake was 2 appts 2 weeks apart about an hour for each appt). I never spent that much time with a dr. who listened and chatted and watched my sons (2 different appts for then) and played with them and really discussed all out concerns. Gave us a home assessment and a teacher assessment for them to fill out and then return back in 2 weeks for the follow-up.

For one son, she really didn't see anything other than behavior/maturity issues which we were already addressing in CPSE so we all felt good about that.

My other son had a lot of patience issues, tantrumming (even when we were at a stoplight, stuff like that). She said he was too young to diagnose, but she suspected he may have ADHD. She gave us techniques to work on with him and wrote a letter for his teachers/assts. things that worked were letting him be a helper (if he is focused and has a job to do, he is very good), having him carry heavy things like grocery bags, etc. the feeling was calming to him.

We were supposed to have a follow-up with her, but we had to cancel and then she had a baby and I never reached out again because honestly my son's behavior has improved tremendously. I don't regret going and would again if I felt I had a concern.

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

Sorry I haven't responded with more details! I will post something tonight :)

Re: I recommend our developmental pediatrician

I would love to hear more info. I am interested in taking my son to one.

I recommend our developmental pediatrician

Here are some things we like about Dr. Huang - she is very warm, friendly and easy to talk to. She is specific about some suggestions for my son’s issues and recommended websites that we should check out. She asked to see my son's CSE paperwork before we sign it (via email) so she can review it first to make sure my son will be getting the services that he needs. She said she understands there is a long wait for appts, so for follow ups if for some reason we needed to come in sooner, to leave a message to speak with her and she will see what she can do about getting us in sooner. She is also not quick to recommend medication, but will do so when she feels it's necessary. She just seems very accessible and concerned, knowledgeable and informative - all the things I have been looking for in a doctor for my son. I have seen 2 neuros and one other dev ped, and while they were all good for different reasons - I still need some hand holding and that feeling that I can reach out and get answers to my questions and I believe that I found that in Dr. Huang.

I recommend our developmental pediatrician

Can I ask what the benefit is of taking your child to a dev ped? My daughter was recently diagnosed with ASD by a psychologist. She's on the higher end of the spectrum. ADOS showed Mild to moderate and CARS minimal symptoms of autism. I'm just curious if we would benefit from seeing a dev ped or why we should see one?