The evaluation process begins with either an Initial Consultation (a series of visits), or a Treatment Consultation (a single visit). If your child has never been evaluated before, or you feel the need to see the physician alone without your child, you will want to begin with an Initial Consultation. If your child has had a prior diagnostic evaluation, received treatment for the present concern, is under the age of five years, or you prefer a single visit evaluation you may schedule a Treatment Consultation (90 min). Please read the descriptions below for more detail.
The Initial Consultation is an office visit with the parents only to obtain a comprehensive history and discuss therapeutic options. This visit may be sixty or ninety minutes depending upon the complexity of the problem. The next step is the Child Evaluation Visit (60 min). This will be with the child alone in the office, parents may be present if this is felt to be necessary. The third of the initial visits the Feedback Visit (30 or 60 min) for the parents only, to discuss the evaluation results and treatment plan. Many parents feel this is a crucial visit as it is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of their child’s difficulties and their impact on the family.
If your child or teen has been previously evaluated or treated for the current concern, the initial visit will consist of a Treatment Consultation (90 min) which includes the parents and child or teen together at the visit. There will still be time for the physician to meet with the child and parents separately. The Treatment Consultation is appropriate when there has been a prior evaluation or treatment. Infants and Toddlers five years of age or younger should be seen as a Treatment Consultation for their initial office visit. The Treatment Consultation may require an additional Feedback Visit (30 or 60 min parents only) to go over details of the treatment plan and the results of the evaluation.
Young Adults up to age 21 with a history of learning, developmental, and emotional problems from childhood are also welcome to join the practice as patients. In these cases an Initial Adult Visit may be scheduled.
Due to the individualized nature of consultations this is only a blueprint, there may be situations where the schedule of visits will vary.
For new patients who would like to meet Dr. Aronson-Ramos before scheduling a full evaluation she has created the Preliminary Consultation Visit which can be done in person or by phone. This sixty minute visit is for the parents only. This provides an opportunity to meet Dr. Aronson-Ramos and discuss their concerns at length. At the end of this sessions families will have a clear understanding of the evaluation process, the different treatment approaches available and if necessary referral to the appropriate resources if she is unable to meet your needs.
Follow-up Visits (30 or 60 min) are tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Medication monitoring requires a minimum of a thirty minute visit every four months. In certain cases more frequent visits may be needed. Children who are being monitored for developmental progress may require longer intervals between visits. What is needed will depend on the child, family, and course of treatment.
**Please note in cases of divorce or co-parenting between two parents living separately, we require open communication between all parties involved in the child’s life. If you are unable or unwilling to do so, this will need to be discussed prior to your first visit, and may necessitate you seek the help of a different health care professional. In cases where custody is not shared and parents are at odds regarding diagnosis and treatment we may not be the appropriate provider for your family. We are unable to mediate ongoing hostilities between parents, and seek only to serve the best interests of the child, which in our experience requires open communication by all involved parties to achieve this goal.
Note: Office visits can sometimes be difficult to schedule. Therefore, I can occasionally offer a replacement Phone Consultation when the need arises.
Every patient will have open access to Dr Aronson-Ramos and her resources. She is directly available to all of her patients and offers many ways to communicate – office visits, school visits, phone consults, and confidential email. Many of the problems patients and families face have a developmental component which changes over time making a long term relationship with a physician highly valuable. Just as families are accustomed to their Pediatrician who they have known through the years, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician fulfills that role as a specialist.
Our office values working with other professionals as a team to provide a multidisciplinary approach. It is important for families to know we spend a considerable amount of time outside of office visits in coordinating and facilitating communication among involved professionals and caregivers. We feel this benefits our families and improves treatment outcomes.